Chronic bronchitis Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the etiology of his respiratory disabilities and whether new evidence supports reopening his prior service connection claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's chronic bronchitis is not causally or etiologically related to his service, including exposure to herbicides.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed respiratory disabilities, including whether any preexisting conditions were aggravated by service. Additional medical records are also sought.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of any respiratory disorder diagnosed during the pendency of this appeal, including sinusitis, bronchitis, nonallergic rhinitis, allergic rhinitis, and chronic sinusitis. The examiner should determine if these conditions are at least as likely as not related to service or a nasal flu mist administered in November 2006.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a Travel Board hearing due to the Veteran's request. The appeal is not about service connection at this stage.

The Board has granted service connection for gastritis secondary to H. pylori, status post breast biopsy (also claimed as atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH), granulomatous mastitis, and fibroadipose parenchyma), and acute bronchitis.

The Veteran's current respiratory disorder, including asthma and bronchitis, is found to have been incurred in service. The Veteran's migraine headaches are also found to be related to her military service.

The Veteran's current chronic bronchitis is found to have begun during service, granting direct service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's respiratory disorders did not pre-exist service and are not otherwise related to service or his service-connected PTSD. As a result, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bronchitis and residuals of a bone graft from the right iliac crest has been granted. The claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability remains pending.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is found to be etiologically related to a disease, injury, or event that occurred during service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran withdrew from appeal the claims for service connection for COPD and chronic bronchitis during a Board hearing.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have been evaluated and rated appropriately based on the criteria provided in the Rating Schedule.

The Veteran's COPD is found to be related to in-service asbestos exposure, and his chronic bronchitis is found to have been aggravated by a service-connected condition. The Board grants service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's appeal was granted for service connection and increased ratings in various conditions, with some issues resulting in new and material evidence being submitted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for allergic rhinitis, a respiratory disorder including chronic bronchitis and asthma, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence did not support finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a respiratory disorder (including bronchitis and COPD), residuals of a right thigh/hip injury, residuals of a left thumb injury, malaria, a right foot or ankle disability, a left knee disability, and a right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to outstanding records and the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has found that the preponderance of evidence is against finding a connection between the Veteran's current conditions and his in-service meningitis, flu vaccines, or lead exposure. The Veteran's service treatment records show he had acute aseptic meningitis in 1959, which resolved without residual effects. The VA examiners have found no lasting residuals from this condition.