Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2018

The Veteran's chronic bronchitis is currently rated at 10 percent, and the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current left hand/wrist disability and denied service connection for respiratory/recurrent bronchitis disorder.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence or argument linking any of the claimed disabilities to service, and thus service connection for osteoarthritis, hypertension, upper respiratory tract infection, COPD with chronic bronchitis, and hypertensive cardiovascular disease cannot be established.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for melasma, chronic bronchitis, and sensorineural hearing loss have been denied as they are not earlier than November 18, 2009.

The Board found that the Veteran was properly found to be rehabilitated for purposes of the vocational rehabilitation program, but there is insufficient evidence to determine whether his service-connected disabilities have worsened to the extent that they preclude him from performing the duties of school paraprofessional or if the occupation is now unsuitable on the basis of his specific employment handicap and capabilities. The case is REMANDED for additional development.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis was found to have its onset during active duty service and is therefore granted service connection. The respiratory disability, including chronic bronchitis and COPD, was not shown to be related to service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims to reopen for service connection of headaches and a vision disability, as well as granting service connection for headaches secondary to PTSD. The increased rating claims for IBS and chronic bronchitis are remanded due to the passage of time since the last VA examination.

The Veteran's respiratory condition did not originate in service or for many years thereafter and is not otherwise related to active service. The Board denied the claims of service connection for a respiratory disability, cause of death, and DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory condition, including asthma, COPD, and bronchitis, is being remanded due to inadequate medical examinations. The VA will obtain an opinion that takes into consideration the conceded asbestos exposure in-service and other exposures such as smoke inhalation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic bronchitis/pneumonia and increased rating for asthma, finding no current diagnosis of these conditions and insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between any diagnosed condition and service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic bronchitis was received on June 24, 2014. The Board finds that an earlier effective date is not warranted and denies the request.

The Board found that the Veteran's pneumonia did not originate during service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's COPD has been rated at 10 percent, the minimum compensable rating. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence supports this rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II, left and right foot conditions, low back condition, high cholesterol, bronchitis, sleep disorder, bilateral eye condition, arthritis, and sinus condition. The primary reasons are lack of in-service stressor for PTSD, no evidence of chronicity after discharge for other conditions, and insufficient herbicide exposure documentation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic bronchitis as secondary to his service-connected allergic rhinitis is denied because he has not been diagnosed with chronic bronchitis.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, cervical degenerative arthritis with spondylosis and right arm radiculopathy, and degenerative arthritis of the arms, wrists, and hands did not manifest during service or within one year after separation from service. The evidence also indicated that these conditions were not related to service. Therefore, the Veteran's claims for service connection were denied.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 31, 2011, for the grant of service connection for COPD was denied as it is not permissible due to a final disallowance in September 2009.

The Board has remanded the claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records from January 2012 to September 2012.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and information from the Social Security Administration.