Chronic bronchitis Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his sinusitis, bronchitis, and low back disabilities. The hearing loss claim is also being remanded for a new VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his military service. The remaining claims of service connection for respiratory and psychiatric conditions have been remanded.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal prior to a decision being made.

The Board found no evidence to support a service connection for the Veteran's lung disorder, as his condition did not meet the criteria for direct service connection. The Veteran's respiratory issues were noted during active duty but are not linked to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected COPD and chronic bronchitis with residual bronchial asthma prior to January 15, 2016 did not meet the criteria for a schedular rating in excess of 30 percent. The Board also found that he was able to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for bronchitis and bilateral foot fungus. Service connection is not established for the Veteran's cataracts.

The Veteran's lung disability, including COPD, asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis, is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the etiology of his lung disabilities. His claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are also being remanded for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death. The remaining issues were not addressed as the appellant has withdrawn them.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his service-connected sarcoidosis-bronchitis is being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The claims for service connection for hepatitis C and a pulmonary disorder (bronchitis) are no longer before the Board.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling appropriate examinations.

The Veteran's service connection claims for sarcoidosis, tuberculosis, and erectile dysfunction were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's common variable immune deficiency was first manifested during service or caused by chemical exposures in service, which led to his secondary conditions including asthma, mycoplasma infection, chronic bronchitis, and residuals of pneumonia. Service connection is granted for these secondary conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing an addendum opinion from the June 2016 VA examiner.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable evidence that the Veteran's pre-existing asthma or bronchitis were aggravated by service. The COPD is attributed to his over twenty pack-year smoking history, not service exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including left knee disability, gout, hypertension, bronchitis, erectile dysfunction, and irregular bowel dysfunction. The evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development and a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's request for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including asthma and/or chronic bronchitis/pneumonia, is being remanded due to the need for scheduling a Board hearing.

The Veteran's lung disorder, including COPD, pneumonia, bronchitis, and pulmonary embolism, is being reviewed for service connection. The relationship between his service and these conditions, particularly the pulmonary embolism, needs to be clarified.

The Veteran maintained gainful employment prior to January 26, 2005 and his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis, asthma, and COPD are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the onset of these conditions during his military service.