Chronic bronchitis Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, left wrist DJD, and hepatitis C are related to service. The right shoulder, right knee, left knee, low back, and respiratory disabilities are not shown to be related to service. Bilateral hearing loss is also not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the payment of additional compensation for his dependent spouse is granted, with the effective date being November 13, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an examination to determine if his respiratory disorders were pre-existing or aggravated by service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current respiratory disorder other than sleep apnea, sinusitis, rhinitis, or bronchitis. The skin disorder claim was remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and emphysema with chronic bronchitis did not render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment for the period prior to November 8, 2012.

The Veteran's death was caused by clostridium difficile colitis, tracheobronchitis, and COPD. The Board finds that the issue of negligence on behalf of VA doctors during treatment falls under the primary issue of entitlement to service connection for cause of death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities met the schedular criteria for a TDIU rating from March 1, 2011. The appeal period prior to January 28, 2011 is not considered as she was employed during that time.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of any current psychiatric disorder. The claims will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Veteran's chronic bronchitis is found to be related to his exposure to environmental hazards during service in Southwest Asia. The claims of entitlement to an increased rating for fibromyalgia and to service connection for peripheral neuropathy are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for service-connected chronic bronchitis is being remanded due to the submission of additional evidence that has not been reviewed by the RO.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including bronchitis/asthma, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

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.