Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bronchitis, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic respiratory disability since her discharge from active duty.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for chronic bronchitis was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.,The Veteran's body rash, presumed due to herbicide exposure during service in Vietnam, is remanded for further examination and medical opinion regarding its etiology.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis and PTSD. The decision also remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's COPD is being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for an opinion on whether it was aggravated by his service-connected lung cancer or caused by herbicide exposure.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bronchitis, finding that there is no current diagnosis of a respiratory disability and insufficient evidence to establish an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's petitions to reopen claims for service connection for sinusitis, chronic bronchitis, OSA, and hypertension were denied. The appeals are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's asthma was initially rated as noncompensable, but a higher rating of 30% was granted effective January 6, 2010. Since June 12, 2018, the Veteran has been rated at 60% for emphysema.

The Veteran's asthma with bronchitis was granted a disability rating of 10 percent from February 27, 2012 to March 24, 2015.

The petition to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection of a lung disorder, including COPD is granted. Service connection for a lung disorder, including COPD is also granted. The issue of entitlement to service connection for lung cancer is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bronchitis, two benign tumors on the upper back, bilateral ear infections, stroke, and left ear condition, status post tympanoplasty. The evidence did not show a current diagnosis or link between these conditions and his military service.,The Board also remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension, as well as tension headaches.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including right knee arthralgia, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, bronchitis, asthma, cardiovascular condition, gastrointestinal disability, skin disability, hair loss, neurologic symptoms in the upper extremities, and pulmonary vascular disease. The decision also granted an initial 20 percent rating for plantar fascial fibromatosis with hammertoe right foot and left foot starting December 21, 2016.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it manifested within one year of separation from active duty.,The Veteran's lumbar back strain, left patellofemoral knee disorder, and right hip strain are remanded for further examination and rating considerations.,The Veteran's respiratory disorder is remanded to determine its etiology.,The Veteran's psychiatric disorder (presumed PTSD) is remanded to determine its etiology.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI). The Veteran contends that he sustained a TBI in June or July.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of any claimed conditions, including left-hand disorder, right-hand disorder, left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, respiratory disorder (bronchitis), and right ear hearing loss. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims of service connection for headaches, PTSD, asthma, COPD, sinus disability, and bronchitis. However, it was determined that these conditions are not related to active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, but the Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen his previously denied claims. The claims are now considered on their merits.

The Veteran's service-connected asbestosis with COPD, emphysema, chronic bronchitis and mesothelioma render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, attributing it to ischemic heart disease due to exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The appellant was successful in establishing that her husband's death was caused by his service-connected condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lung disability, including bronchitis and emphysema, attributing it to his own smoking habit rather than any in-service exposure.