Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and his claim for an increased rating for bronchitis prior to June 18, 2002 and 30 percent thereafter was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected right elbow tendinosis is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, bronchitis, asthma, sleep apnea, and loss of smell due to in-service secondhand smoke exposure. The Board found that there is no evidence of chronic conditions related to these disorders during or within one year after service.

The Veteran's melanoma status post surgeries was not present during service or for many years thereafter, and is not etiologically related to active duty service. The presumption of service connection as a chronic disease is not applicable.,There is no current diagnosis or other competent finding of COPD. The Veteran does not have COPD.,The Veteran's hearing loss is not caused by an event, disease or injury in active duty service and the presumption of service connection as a chronic disease is not applicable.,The Veteran's tinnitus is not caused by an event, disease or injury in active duty service and the presumption of service connection as a chronic disease is not applicable.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression and memory loss) is not etiologically related to active duty service and the presumption of service connection as a chronic disease is not applicable.

The Veteran's lobectomy due to granuloma of the right lower lung with chronic bronchitis and COPD has been rated at 100 percent since November 6, 1996 for pulmonary hypertension.

The Veteran's respiratory disorders are presumed to be due to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents. However, the Board has ordered a remand for further examination and opinion regarding the relationship between his current respiratory conditions and his service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim for service connection of a chronic respiratory disability, including residuals from a spontaneous pneumothorax and asthma. The Board also found that the appellant's thyroid cancer is related to his active service.

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions and disabilities have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the claims.

The Board has determined that additional VA medical opinions are needed to address the etiology of the Veteran's disabilities, including squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, pneumonia, bronchitis, hypothyroidism, vocal chord damage, dysphagia, and dry mouth. The claims will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's chronic bronchitis was rated at 100% from October 13, 2010 to March 21, 2012. The claim for TDIU is now moot due to the grant of a 100% rating.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for asthmatic bronchitis was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for an increased rating under Diagnostic Code 6602.,Service connection for mesothelioma was denied as there is no evidence of record linking the current condition to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and examination of the Veteran's claims, including right ear hearing loss, sinusitis, bronchitis, asthma, lung disability, and eye disability.

The Board has found no evidence linking the Veteran's current bronchitis and COPD to his military service, including herbicide exposure. The preponderance of the evidence is against the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma was reopened and granted. He is now entitled to a 30% rating for his respiratory disorder, effective July 29, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory/lung pathology, including asthma and COPD, is not etiologically related to her active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not cause the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, thus denying entitlement to SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's sarcoidosis was diagnosed within one year of separation from his military service, meeting the criteria for service connection. The Board has granted service connection for a respiratory disability including sarcoidosis.

The Board has determined that there was clear and unmistakable error in the March 20, 1975 rating decision denying service connection for a bronchial disability. The effective date of service connection is now November 23, 1974.

The claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain SSA records, and no other specific reasons were provided in the decision.