Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for bronchitis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his in-service respiratory issues and smoking. The other claims are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right forearm fracture, left foot spurs, bilateral hearing loss, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and breathing problems (bronchitis), have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding of service connection.

From March 4, 2013 to February 3, 2014, the Veteran's chronic bronchitis was rated as 10 percent disabling.,From February 4, 2014 to October 5, 2016, the Veteran's asthma with chronic bronchitis was rated as 30 percent disabling. From October 6, 2016 onwards, no rating has been assigned.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory condition, including bronchitis and COPD, as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during or after service.,The Board also denied service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD), finding that the Veteran's CAD was not caused by his military service.

The Veteran's respiratory disorder, manifested by asthma and/or bronchitis, is as likely as not related to service. The Board finds the evidence in equipoise regarding whether the current respiratory disability is related to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of service connection for a respiratory disorder, to include COPD; and ratings in excess of 10 percent for history of lumbar strain with sacralization at L-5 with L4-5 disc space narrowing, arthralgia of the right shoulder, arthralgia of the left shoulder, arthralgia of the right wrist, and bilateral elbow arthralgia. The Veteran was exposed to a chemical fire during service, which may be related to his current respiratory disorders.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and review, including service connection claims and an earlier effective date claim. The Veteran's appeal includes multiple service connection claims and one related to the effective date of additional compensation based on having a dependent spouse.

The Veteran's interstitial lung disease and cause of death due to pulmonary fibrosis are granted. Service connection for sleep apnea is denied.

The Board denied service connection for a pulmonary disorder, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses of asthma, COPD, and chronic bronchitis were not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for chronic bronchitis and increased rating for bronchopneumonia is being remanded due to disagreement among examiners regarding the diagnosis of bronchopneumonia in-service, and the need for additional development including a VA respiratory examination.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's hypertensive cardiovascular disease, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema are related to service exposure to herbicide agents. As such, the criteria for service connection have been met.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease with reactive airway disease and COPD with mixed emphysematous and chronic bronchitis pattern are rated at their maximum levels, resulting in a grant of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status. Service connection for the cause of death is denied due to lack of evidence showing service-connected disability contributed to death.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional VA medical records and lay statements.

The Veteran's appeal is mixed, with some issues granted and others not. Service connection for chemical sensitivities, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disorder, IBS, and low back disorder are granted on a presumptive basis due to Gulf War exposure. Other service connection claims remain pending.

The Board denied service connection for HIV infection, TTP, chronic right eye disability, acute bronchitis, sleep apnea syndrome, and traumatic brain injury (TBI) as the evidence did not support a link to service or any other valid theory of service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of asthma resulting from service is sufficient to grant her claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims can be adjudicated, including obtaining service personnel records and STRs, as well as SSA disability benefits records. VA examinations are also required to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's current disabilities.

The Veteran's respiratory disorders, including chronic bronchitis, asthma and COPD, were not incurred in or aggravated by his active service. The Board found that the onset of these conditions occurred after discharge from service and was more likely related to a chemical burn incident at work in the 1990s.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have its onset during service and the Board finds that it is at least as likely as not related to his military service.,For the right third finger fracture, the disability rating of 10 percent is granted. The limitation of motion does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.