Chronic bronchitis Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disorder did not manifest during service and is unrelated to his active duty. The claim for bronchitis was remanded but no decision has been made yet.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication of the appellant's claims, including those regarding service connection. The character of discharge issue is also being addressed.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and the cause of his death (respiratory failure due to pneumonia) is not linked to his military service. The Veteran did not require aid and attendance solely due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's COPD with bronchitis and bronchiectasis has not more nearly approximated the criteria for a higher disability rating, and thus his appeal is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the etiology of his claimed disabilities, specifically bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and COPD with chronic bronchitis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection, and SMC based on housebound status. The decision also noted that there was no confirmed diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran's respiratory disability, asbestosis, and bronchitis were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and treatment records. The claims for service connection for diabetes, bronchitis (presumed exposure), right knee disorder, heart disorder, and bronchitis are pending.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since March 29, 2013. He was granted service connection for tinnitus and TDIU, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board found that the Veteran's respiratory conditions are not related to his service, including exposure to hazardous chemicals. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that any current respiratory disorders are due to in-service events or exposures.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current respiratory disabilities, including COPD with emphysema and OSA with hypoxemia, are not related to his service or exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange). The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional medical records and an examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for sarcoidosis remains on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, specifically chronic bronchitis, is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his military service.

The Board found that there is no evidence of a current bronchitis, bilateral lung disorder, or upper respiratory disorder related to service. The Veteran's current conditions are not considered service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further adjudication of a claim related to an earlier effective date for service connection, which may be intertwined with a claim of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in a prior rating decision.

The Veteran's lumbar spine, right knee, and left hip disabilities are not service-connected.,The Veteran does not have a diagnosed condition of hemorrhoids. His claimed hemorrhoids were previously diagnosed in 1998.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment, warranting a grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic bronchitis and COPD is rated at 60 percent since October 8, 2014. The rating will remain at this level as the evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's COPD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes. The sinusitis issue has been withdrawn due to the Veteran's request.

The Board has granted service connection for a respiratory disability (COPD and chronic bronchitis) and a left knee disability. The effective date of the grant is not specified as it was determined that the Veteran's claims were pending since September 6, 2006.