Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's deviated nasal septum resulted in less than 50 percent obstruction of both sides of the nasal passage throughout the relevant period on appeal, and thus does not warrant a compensable disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate medical opinions in previous VA examinations.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current hearing loss, bronchitis, frequent headaches, or vision changes to his active service. The claims for these conditions were therefore denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic respiratory disorder, including as residuals of pneumonia/bronchitis, has been granted and is no longer pending.

The Veteran's OSA with bronchitis is currently rated at 50 percent, the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 6847. The criteria for a higher evaluation (100%) are not met as there is no evidence of chronic respiratory failure or cor pulmonale requiring a tracheostomy.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his service connection claims for PTSD, hearing loss, and arthritis are not supported by the provided information. The Veteran has been granted new evidence to reopen his claim for fibromyalgia, but no rating assigned due to lack of supporting documentation or evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bronchitis is granted. A 10 percent rating, but not higher, is assigned for bilateral hearing loss since July 6, 2015.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bronchitis, including shortness of breath during service and treatment for bronchitis, did not originate in service and is not otherwise etiologically related to his service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, including bronchitis, is denied.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he has withdrawn all pending appeals, including the ones related to PTSD, dermatosis, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and chronic bronchitis.

The Veteran's claim for higher levels of SMC based on service-connected disabilities was denied as his conditions do not meet the legal criteria for such benefits.

The Veteran's COPD with asthmatic bronchitis has been evaluated based on FEV-1 and FEV-1/FVC results from Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs). For the period prior to October 19, 2015, his disability was rated at 30 percent. Beginning October 19, 2015, it has been rated at 60 percent.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is pending as additional development is required.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA medical opinion and new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's bronchitis is rated at 10 percent prior to November 30, 2016, and denied for a higher rating thereafter.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for chronic bronchitis and major depression, as well as his claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU, are all granted.

The Board finds that the Veteran's lung and respiratory disorders are not related to his military service, specifically asbestos exposure. The more probative evidence does not support the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Veteran requested to withdraw the appeal regarding his increased disability rating for chronic bronchitis, and the Board has dismissed the appeal.

The Veteran's bronchitis is rated at 10 percent, and his headaches are rated at 30 percent. The Board has granted the higher rating for headaches but denied the request for a higher rating for bronchitis.

The Veteran's COPD is found to have its onset during service, and the Board grants service connection for a respiratory disorder.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on February 15, 2012 at Great Plains Regional Medical Center were denied as the treatment was not rendered in a medical emergency and VA facilities were feasibly available.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lung condition, including COPD, asthma, bronchitis, and pulmonary hypertension is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding whether he has pulmonary hypertension related to his military service.