Chronic bronchitis Board decisions

The Veteran withdrew his claim for a lung disability, to include bronchitis. The remaining claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, was denied as there is no evidence of in-service disease or injury that resulted in the current condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his current left ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a disability under VA regulations. The Veteran's respiratory disorder, including bronchitis, is remanded for an addendum opinion to determine if it is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory disabilities, including COPD, chronic bronchitis, and sleep apnea, are not related to his in-service exposure to asbestos and carbon toxins. The most probative evidence supports this conclusion.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for asthma and finds that it is related to his service, including during service when he was diagnosed with exercise-induced asthma. The Board grants service connection for asthma.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current pulmonary disorder, and thus service connection for this condition is denied. For his claim of residuals of frostbite, the VA examiner concluded that there was no evidence of frostbite during active duty and that any osteoarthritis or edema of the legs are less likely related to frostbite.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis, pneumonia, and hypertension have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities related to his in-service conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have service in Vietnam and was not exposed to tactical herbicide agents, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as the evidence did not establish a direct relationship between his conditions and active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of chronic bronchitis began during service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's lung disability, diagnosed as COPD and bronchitis, is not related to his service or exposure to herbicides. The claim for secondary service connection for headaches and syncope to bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Board denied service connection for a right ankle disability, respiratory disability, chronic bronchitis, and bilateral shin splints. The Veteran's claim for higher initial rating of vasomotor rhinitis with nose bleeds was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a left knee disability, bronchitis, or pneumonia incurred in service. The acquired psychiatric disorder is denied as well.

The Board found that the Veteran's respiratory disorders, including asthma and allergic rhinitis, did not have their onset in service or were otherwise related to service. The pre-existing condition of asthma was not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disorder and bronchitis, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his active service. The claim for hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or any other psychiatric disorder other than paranoid schizophrenia. The Veteran's pulmonary disorder was not manifest in service and is not otherwise etiologically related to such service. The Veteran's skin disorder to include dermatitis was not manifest in service and is not otherwise etiologically related to such service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's respiratory disorders, specifically his current diagnoses of COPD, chronic bronchitis, asthma, and allergic rhinitis. The examiner is asked to address whether these conditions are at least as likely as not related to service exposure to asbestos.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are denied as the evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension, bronchitis/pulmonary disorder, and ischemic heart disease are related to his service exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.