Chronic bronchitis Board decisions

The Board finds that the Veteran's current respiratory disabilities, including bronchitis, pharyngitis, upper respiratory infection, and asthma, are service-connected as they are related to his active military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's chronic upper respiratory disorder, including asthma and bronchitis, is etiologically related to active service, including his diagnosis of bronchial pneumonia during service. The Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's respiratory disorders and discussing a submitted article on bronchitis. The issue of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss remains before the Board.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic bronchitis is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the October 2015 VA examination and the need for a more responsive opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the criteria for a TDIU, effective September 28, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues and the need for a Travel Board hearing. The specific conditions of prostate cancer, bronchitis, diabetes mellitus, hepatitis C, and bilateral glaucoma are still under consideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current respiratory disabilities, including allergic rhinitis, bronchitis, and COPD, are not related to his service or in-service pneumonia. The preponderance of evidence supports a finding that these conditions are due to smoking rather than service.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed right wrist or low back disability, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied. The claim for service connection for bronchitis was also denied.

The Veteran's asthma with chronic bronchitis was rated as a 100 percent disability effective April 8, 2008.,VA also granted housebound SMC based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities starting from April 8, 2008.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's respiratory conditions, including whether they are related to service or other factors.

The Veteran's asthma/bronchitis was rated at 60 percent from October 9, 2007 to September 25, 2008. From September 26, 2008, he is rated at 100 percent for chronic bronchitis due to his sarcoidosis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing at the RO. The service connection issue remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a lung disorder, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen his previously denied claim. The Board also determined that there was no causal relationship between any current lung disability and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain service treatment records and medical opinions regarding his claimed conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's lung disorder is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred on February 18, 2012, at Logan Memorial Hospital because VA facilities were deemed feasibly available and the emergency room treatment did not meet the definition of 'emergent'.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of chronic bronchitis and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied. The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis and left knee disability are currently rated as 10% each under DCs 5276 and 5284 respectively.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with VA examinations to evaluate his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for chronic bronchitis was denied. The VA determined that the Veteran's FEV1 and FEV1/FVC were within the range of 56 to 70 percent predicted, warranting a 30% disability rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's recurrent asthmatic bronchitis clearly and unmistakably pre-existed service, and was not aggravated by service. As such, service connection for this condition is granted.