Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2016

The Veteran's asthma with chronic bronchitis was rated as a 100 percent disability effective April 8, 2008.,VA also granted housebound SMC based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities starting from April 8, 2008.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's respiratory conditions, including whether they are related to service or other factors.

The Veteran's asthma/bronchitis was rated at 60 percent from October 9, 2007 to September 25, 2008. From September 26, 2008, he is rated at 100 percent for chronic bronchitis due to his sarcoidosis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing at the RO. The service connection issue remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a lung disorder, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen his previously denied claim. The Board also determined that there was no causal relationship between any current lung disability and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain service treatment records and medical opinions regarding his claimed conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's lung disorder is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred on February 18, 2012, at Logan Memorial Hospital because VA facilities were deemed feasibly available and the emergency room treatment did not meet the definition of 'emergent'.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of chronic bronchitis and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied. The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis and left knee disability are currently rated as 10% each under DCs 5276 and 5284 respectively.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with VA examinations to evaluate his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for chronic bronchitis was denied. The VA determined that the Veteran's FEV1 and FEV1/FVC were within the range of 56 to 70 percent predicted, warranting a 30% disability rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's recurrent asthmatic bronchitis clearly and unmistakably pre-existed service, and was not aggravated by service. As such, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the etiology of his respiratory disabilities and whether new evidence supports reopening his prior service connection claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's chronic bronchitis is not causally or etiologically related to his service, including exposure to herbicides.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed respiratory disabilities, including whether any preexisting conditions were aggravated by service. Additional medical records are also sought.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of any respiratory disorder diagnosed during the pendency of this appeal, including sinusitis, bronchitis, nonallergic rhinitis, allergic rhinitis, and chronic sinusitis. The examiner should determine if these conditions are at least as likely as not related to service or a nasal flu mist administered in November 2006.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a Travel Board hearing due to the Veteran's request. The appeal is not about service connection at this stage.

The Board has granted service connection for gastritis secondary to H. pylori, status post breast biopsy (also claimed as atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH), granulomatous mastitis, and fibroadipose parenchyma), and acute bronchitis.

The Veteran's current respiratory disorder, including asthma and bronchitis, is found to have been incurred in service. The Veteran's migraine headaches are also found to be related to her military service.