Chronic bronchitis Board decisions

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The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn regarding cervical dysplasia.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.

The Veteran's asthma has worsened since his last VA examination in November 2012, and a new VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of his service-connected bronchitis with hilar adenopathy (asthma).

The Board found that the Veteran's current respiratory disorders (emphysema, COPD and chronic bronchitis) are not related to his active military service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, respiratory disability (chronic bronchitis), peripheral neuropathy of the right shoulder, skin disability (eczema), fatty tumors, to include lipomas or soft tissue tumors, and vision or eye disability are all denied. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction claim is not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for respiratory disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD), hypertension, and right knee disability. The claim for service connection for respiratory disability was granted as new and material evidence had been presented. However, the Board found no link between the current respiratory disability and active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for chronic bronchitis is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of private treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for bronchitis cannot be granted as there is no evidence of a chronic respiratory disorder during or immediately following his military service. The VA examiner found that the current respiratory disability is less likely than not incurred in or caused by service. For the left knee issues, the rating assigned does not meet the criteria for an evaluation greater than 30 percent and the Veteran's claim for TDIU has been denied as there was no evidence showing he was unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for joint and muscle pain, as well as his respiratory disorder (bronchitis), are granted. The Board finds that these conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's respiratory disorders, including COPD, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, asthma, and bronchiectasis, finding that his in-service exposure to smoke and herbicides caused these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, bronchitis, and asthma. The decision concluded that these conditions are not related to his military service or presumed herbicide exposure.