Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2017

The Veteran's asthma with chronic bronchitis was evaluated at a 30 percent disability rating under the criteria for direct service connection. The VA examiner found that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on FEV-1 or FVC measurements, and he did not require systemic corticosteroids or immunosuppressive medications.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's respiratory condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's respiratory/lung disorders and whether they are related to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board found that the Appellant's current COPD, acute respiratory disease, asthma, and bronchitis are not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to her military service.

The Veteran's lung disability, claimed as chronic bronchitis, was not shown in service and is not otherwise related to service. The Board finds the Veteran's statements inconsistent with his STRs which are silent for any treatment for pneumonia.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding service connection for bronchitis. Service connection is granted for malaria, joint pain, skin rash, and shrapnel wounds of the right lip, knee, and hand. The issue of reducing disability ratings for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Veteran's respiratory disorder, diagnosed as COPD and bronchitis, is related to service.,The Veteran's skin disorder, diagnosed as seborrheic keratosis, actinic keratosis, and SCC, is related to service.

The Veteran's chronic bronchitis and COPD do not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as his pulmonary function tests consistently fall within the range of moderate impairment.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been presented to reopen the claims for hypertension and sinusitis and bronchitis due to allergies, but denied service connection on the merits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have any service-connected disabilities for which he could be granted service connection. Specifically, there is no evidence of a current disability related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including those related to herbicide exposure, are denied as the evidence does not support a finding of current disability or a link between any claimed conditions and service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, with the exception of a few issues. The Board found that the Veteran had current diagnoses and credible evidence supporting his reported stressors related to combat experience in Vietnam. Service connection was established for PTSD based on exposure to hostile military activity.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his service-connected disabilities, as well as new evidence added to his claims file. The issues include evaluations for various knee and ankle conditions, a compensable evaluation for bronchitis, and service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and left knee arthritis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including chronic bronchitis, upper respiratory infections, and reactive airway disease is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his in-service exposure to burn pits and his current symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for left hip strain, punctured lung, and residuals of a rib fracture (chronic bronchitis) as secondary to service-connected disabilities. The effective date for the grant of service connection for cold injury residuals of the bilateral feet is set at February 5, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a pulmonary disorder and cardiovascular disorder are granted, but he is not entitled to TDIU due to his employment.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's right hand condition, bilateral foot condition, and reactive airway disease due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a pulmonary disorder related to his service, and therefore denies service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's widow is seeking service connection for respiratory disabilities, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and bronchitis, as well as Dependency and Indemnity Compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318. The case has been remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing.

The Board has determined that the additional evidence submitted since the September 1983 rating decision is not new and material, and therefore, the claim of entitlement to service connection for bronchitis cannot be reopened.