Chronic bronchitis Board decisions

The Veteran's lung, sleep, and skin disorders are not service-connected. The right ear hearing loss disability is rated as non-compensable.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including asthma, bronchitis, and COPD is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of acute bronchitis is reconsidered and granted. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim, as a relevant service treatment record was submitted in June 1983.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory disability did not have its onset during military service or is otherwise related to such service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral diabetic retinopathy with history of cataracts, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities. Service connection was denied for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, lung disorder (bronchitis and asthma), and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran's lung disability is service-connected, and the TBI residuals are rated based on their severity. The Veteran meets the criteria for a total disability rating due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's lung disability, including bronchitis, was not incurred or aggravated in active service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of a rib fracture and bronchitis have been reopened, but the heart disability claim remains unresolved. The Board found new and material evidence to reopen the rib fracture and bronchitis claims, but did not find sufficient evidence linking the current disabilities to service or exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's appeal for increased evaluations for recurrent tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and inactive pulmonary tuberculosis with bronchitis is denied as the maximum schedular evaluation of 10 percent for recurrent tinnitus has been assigned.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding medical records and ensuring proper notification.

The Veteran's initial claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder other than bronchitis is still pending. The rating for bronchitis has been granted with a noncompensable (0 percent) rating, and the Veteran requested an increased rating. The left wrist disability remains on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current chronic respiratory condition and therefore, service connection cannot be granted.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA medical opinion to determine whether the Veteran's cause of death was related to his service-connected disabilities or otherwise related to service. The claim will be re-adjudicated based on all evidence, including the January 2008 private medical opinion from Dr. Garganta.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a recurrent pulmonary disorder, including bronchitis, COPD, and restrictive lung disease, is being remanded due to insufficient development of the record. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for further review due to deficiencies in the December 2010 VA examination report and the need to address the Veteran's theory of service connection based on in-service exposure to solvents.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee condition has led to secondary hip, back, and respiratory conditions. The Board granted the claims for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's respiratory disabilities were not manifested in service and are unrelated to his military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral pneumonia and bronchitis were incurred in his Persian Gulf service, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hand weakness and respiratory disorder (bronchitis) due to lack of evidence of current disability. The other issues were also denied, with some being remanded.