Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2017

The Veteran's service connection claims for sarcoidosis, tuberculosis, and erectile dysfunction were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's common variable immune deficiency was first manifested during service or caused by chemical exposures in service, which led to his secondary conditions including asthma, mycoplasma infection, chronic bronchitis, and residuals of pneumonia. Service connection is granted for these secondary conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing an addendum opinion from the June 2016 VA examiner.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable evidence that the Veteran's pre-existing asthma or bronchitis were aggravated by service. The COPD is attributed to his over twenty pack-year smoking history, not service exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including left knee disability, gout, hypertension, bronchitis, erectile dysfunction, and irregular bowel dysfunction. The evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development and a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's request for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including asthma and/or chronic bronchitis/pneumonia, is being remanded due to the need for scheduling a Board hearing.

The Veteran's lung disorder, including COPD, pneumonia, bronchitis, and pulmonary embolism, is being reviewed for service connection. The relationship between his service and these conditions, particularly the pulmonary embolism, needs to be clarified.

The Veteran maintained gainful employment prior to January 26, 2005 and his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis, asthma, and COPD are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the onset of these conditions during his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic bronchitis is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining STRs and a medical opinion regarding the etiology of his claimed condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tuberculosis, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim. The issue of service connection for hives was granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's current respiratory conditions, including COPD, asthma, and bronchitis, are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension, asthma, and emphysema with bronchitis were not incurred or aggravated during service. The preponderance of evidence indicates these conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a cardiovascular disability, based on herbicide exposure during the Vietnam Era, was denied as there is no evidence of such exposure. The Board found that his current cardiovascular disability did not manifest in service or within one year thereafter and there is no competent evidence linking it to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's continued medical emergency warranted payment or reimbursement for his treatment at a non-VA facility from January 28 through February 3, 2010. The VA clinic was available and the Veteran did not want to transfer.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding hypertension and coronary artery disease. The issues of service connection for respiratory disorders, sleep apnea, and heart conditions are being addressed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to a misplaced portion of his file. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bronchitis was denied as the evidence did not show that he met the criteria for a higher rating based on pulmonary function test results.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. No service connection was granted or denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bronchiectasis due to her service-connected asthma and COPD. The Veteran's other claims have been denied.