Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2018

The Veteran's attorney was awarded attorney fees from past-due benefits, and the Veteran has terminated all remaining appeals. The appeal is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis and a respiratory disorder, to include bronchitis and COPD are denied as there is no competent evidence linking any current disability to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death is related to his service-connected asthmatic bronchitis, and therefore grants DIC benefits. As a result, the claim for nonservice-connected death pension is dismissed as moot.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bronchitis and bullous emphysema are etiologically related to his service-connected lung cancer, and thus granted secondary service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's respiratory disability, including COPD, asthma, bronchitis, chronic rhinitis, pharyngitis and other respiratory abnormalities, is being remanded for further development as the VA examination was inadequate. The examiner did not address in-service asbestos exposure by the Veteran or his pre-existing asthma.

The appellant's appeal has been withdrawn due to his attorney indicating that the appellant wishes to withdraw the appeal for all issues listed on the cover page.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a respiratory examination. The issues include determining if his collapsed left lung warrants an initial compensable rating, service connection for chronic respiratory conditions (including bronchitis, asthma, emphysema, COPD), and sleep apnea are warranted, as well as whether he is entitled to TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to an inadequate medical opinion in a previous VA examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for COPD and chronic bronchitis is pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, including asthma, COPD, chronic bronchitis, and bronchiectasis is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and review of the record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current conditions, including bronchitis, chronic sinus problems, loss of sense of smell, and headaches, are related to his active service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, migraine headaches, and degenerative joint disease (DDD) of the cervical spine have all been granted. The claim for sleep apnea has also been granted.,Service connection is established for these conditions based on direct evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's thyroid cancer and asthmatic bronchitis are not service connected, as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease, and the conditions do not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection based on exposure to herbicides, ionizing radiation, or asbestos.

The Veteran has current diagnoses of asthma and bronchitis. His service treatment records show he had respiratory conditions such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and asthma during his military service. The VA examiner diagnosed him with asthma and bronchitis. He clearly entered service with these conditions, but the preexisting condition was not aggravated by his active military service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn regarding cervical dysplasia. The remaining issues have not been granted as service connection is denied for ulcerative colitis, chronic respiratory disorder, chronic bronchitis, chronic sinusitis, chronic rhinitis, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), left arm paresthesia, pancreas disorder, and fibromyalgia.

The Veteran's service-connected recurrent bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax with asthma and bronchitis was rated as 30 percent disabling from December 19, 2011 onward. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet criteria for a compensable rating prior to December 19, 2011 due to asymptomatic condition and normal PFT results.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, but finds that there is no causal relationship between his current respiratory condition and his active duty service. The Board denied the Veteran's claim as the evidence does not support a nexus between his in-service symptoms and his current disability.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of chronic bronchitis has been dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeals to reopen claims for service connection for frostbite of the bilateral feet and bronchitis have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's respiratory disorder, including bronchitis and COPD, was not incurred in or caused by service.,There is no evidence establishing a nexus between the Veteran's current bilateral eye disorders and his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination. The issues of service connection for PTSD related to military sexual trauma, chronic bronchitis, asthma, COPD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD) are pending.