Chronic bronchitis Board decisions

The Veteran seeks service connection for respiratory disorders, including mild obstructive lung disease, asthma, bronchitis, and reactive airway disease. The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and provide further opinions regarding the service connection of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bronchitis has been reopened. The issue of an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for dysphagia and the request for a prior effective date for service connection have both been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bronchitis or sleep apnea related to service, including asbestos exposure. The Veteran's conditions are found to be unrelated to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for a Travel Board hearing due to scheduling issues and will be reconsidered after the hearing.

The Board has determined that the issue of entitlement to DIC benefits based on service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is inextricably intertwined with issues of service connection for chronic emphysema and bronchitis, for accrued benefits purposes. The case is REMANDED for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bronchitis is service-connected, but his claim for multiple sclerosis remains pending as there are no findings regarding its service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the etiology of his obstructive sleep apnea and whether it is related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's dental disorder claim is denied as there is no indication of bone loss or disease that would qualify for VA compensation.,There is insufficient evidence to establish a current respiratory disability, and the Board finds that her bronchitis claim cannot be granted. The pre-service tubal ligation is presumed to have occurred prior to service.,The Veteran's gynecological disorder (loose clamp from a prior tubal ligation) claim is denied as there is no evidence of any current condition related to service, and the loose clip was likely not aggravated by service.,There is insufficient evidence to establish a current headache disability or bilateral hip disability that can be linked to service. The Veteran's claims for these conditions are therefore denied.,The Veteran's bilateral hip disability (claimed as a stress fracture) claim is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision and will be remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for respiratory problems, including COPD, sinusitis, and bronchitis, has been reopened. The left shoulder disability rating has been increased to 20 percent.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for sarcoidosis, sinusitis, bronchitis, and pneumonia. The VA opinions provided conflicting conclusions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his VA medical records and consideration of his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's reimbursement requests for medical expenses are denied as the conditions for reimbursement under VA laws and regulations were not met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a medical opinion regarding whether his current respiratory conditions are residuals of his service-connected tuberculosis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus was reopened and granted. The Veteran's recurrent chronic bronchitis has been found to be related to his exposure to herbicides during service.

The Board has granted service connection for schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder, but dismissed the claim of entitlement to service connection for bronchitis. The Veteran's schizophrenia is considered at least as likely as not having manifested during her military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's recurrent bronchitis and emphysema are service-connected due to exposure to mustard agent during his military service. The thyroid disorder is not service-connected as it was not caused by ionizing radiation or service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's respiratory disorders, including sinusitis and bronchitis, are not related to his military service. COPD is unrelated to service.

The Board denied service connection for COPD and bronchitis as there was no evidence of these conditions during or after service, and the Veteran's lay assertions were not credible.