Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory disability, including asthma, COPD, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis, is related to his service due to an injury from chlorine gas inhalation during active duty. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnoses of bronchitis and COPD are not related to his service, as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his in-service diagnosis of acute bronchitis. The VA examiners concluded that the post-separation respiratory issues were likely due to long-term tobacco use.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including pulmonary function tests and an opinion on whether lung scarring constitutes a separate ratable disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including verification of exposure to toxins while in service and examinations to determine the cause of his disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current respiratory conditions, including asthma and COPD, are not related to his active service. The VA examiner concluded that these conditions are secondary to tobacco use.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The issues of a higher rating for hypertension and service connection for chronic bronchitis have not been decided.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, including COPD and as due to asbestos exposure during active duty, is being remanded for additional development.

The Board is remanding the case for further development, including obtaining morning reports and a medical opinion on the etiology of any respiratory disorder. The issue of entitlement to TDIU will be deferred until the service connection claim is resolved.

The Veteran withdrew his claim for a lung disability, to include bronchitis. The remaining claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, was denied as there is no evidence of in-service disease or injury that resulted in the current condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his current left ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a disability under VA regulations. The Veteran's respiratory disorder, including bronchitis, is remanded for an addendum opinion to determine if it is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory disabilities, including COPD, chronic bronchitis, and sleep apnea, are not related to his in-service exposure to asbestos and carbon toxins. The most probative evidence supports this conclusion.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for asthma and finds that it is related to his service, including during service when he was diagnosed with exercise-induced asthma. The Board grants service connection for asthma.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current pulmonary disorder, and thus service connection for this condition is denied. For his claim of residuals of frostbite, the VA examiner concluded that there was no evidence of frostbite during active duty and that any osteoarthritis or edema of the legs are less likely related to frostbite.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis, pneumonia, and hypertension have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities related to his in-service conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have service in Vietnam and was not exposed to tactical herbicide agents, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as the evidence did not establish a direct relationship between his conditions and active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of chronic bronchitis began during service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's lung disability, diagnosed as COPD and bronchitis, is not related to his service or exposure to herbicides. The claim for secondary service connection for headaches and syncope to bilateral hearing loss was also denied.