Chronic bronchitis Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have any service-connected disabilities for which he could be granted service connection. Specifically, there is no evidence of a current disability related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including those related to herbicide exposure, are denied as the evidence does not support a finding of current disability or a link between any claimed conditions and service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, with the exception of a few issues. The Board found that the Veteran had current diagnoses and credible evidence supporting his reported stressors related to combat experience in Vietnam. Service connection was established for PTSD based on exposure to hostile military activity.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his service-connected disabilities, as well as new evidence added to his claims file. The issues include evaluations for various knee and ankle conditions, a compensable evaluation for bronchitis, and service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and left knee arthritis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including chronic bronchitis, upper respiratory infections, and reactive airway disease is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his in-service exposure to burn pits and his current symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for left hip strain, punctured lung, and residuals of a rib fracture (chronic bronchitis) as secondary to service-connected disabilities. The effective date for the grant of service connection for cold injury residuals of the bilateral feet is set at February 5, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a pulmonary disorder and cardiovascular disorder are granted, but he is not entitled to TDIU due to his employment.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's right hand condition, bilateral foot condition, and reactive airway disease due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a pulmonary disorder related to his service, and therefore denies service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's widow is seeking service connection for respiratory disabilities, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and bronchitis, as well as Dependency and Indemnity Compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318. The case has been remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing.

The Board has determined that the additional evidence submitted since the September 1983 rating decision is not new and material, and therefore, the claim of entitlement to service connection for bronchitis cannot be reopened.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory disability, including asthma, COPD, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis, is related to his service due to an injury from chlorine gas inhalation during active duty. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnoses of bronchitis and COPD are not related to his service, as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his in-service diagnosis of acute bronchitis. The VA examiners concluded that the post-separation respiratory issues were likely due to long-term tobacco use.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including pulmonary function tests and an opinion on whether lung scarring constitutes a separate ratable disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including verification of exposure to toxins while in service and examinations to determine the cause of his disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current respiratory conditions, including asthma and COPD, are not related to his active service. The VA examiner concluded that these conditions are secondary to tobacco use.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The issues of a higher rating for hypertension and service connection for chronic bronchitis have not been decided.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, including COPD and as due to asbestos exposure during active duty, is being remanded for additional development.

The Board is remanding the case for further development, including obtaining morning reports and a medical opinion on the etiology of any respiratory disorder. The issue of entitlement to TDIU will be deferred until the service connection claim is resolved.