Chronic bronchitis Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his active service, including exposure to herbicides. Service connection is denied for COPD, Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome/Sleep Apnea, breathing problems (including bronchitis and emphysema), peripheral neuropathy of upper extremities, ingrown toenails of lower extremities, GERD, and edema of lower extremities.

The Board found no evidence of a current bronchitis disability and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection. The left knee condition issue is pending due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's erectile dysfunction was caused by his service-connected chronic bronchitis with bronchiectasis, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been shown to be of such severity as to preclude substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on this finding.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory disorder, including bronchitis and asthma, is related to his period of service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for asthmatic bronchitis is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of his employment status.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic bronchitis, COPD, and recurrent pneumonia based on in-service exposure to smoke, gases, and fumes during the July 1967 fire onboard the USS Forrestal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and issuance of a statement of the case on the TDIU issue.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia is presumed to have been incurred during active duty service and granted service connection.

The Veteran's lung disorders, hypertension, and melanoma are being remanded for additional development as the VA examinations did not consider all relevant evidence or provide adequate rationale.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling a VA examination to address the relationship between his service-connected conditions and asbestos exposure.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claim for service connection of a respiratory disorder and denied his request for an initial compensable rating for residual scarring. The current respiratory disorder was not shown to be related to service, while the scar did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions and missing VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's respiratory disability claims, including bronchitis and COPD. The Veteran needs to provide VA treatment records and identify all medical providers who have treated him for respiratory problems since separation from service in 1959. An appropriate examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any respiratory disability.

The appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claim for payment of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Florida Hospital Heartland on January 17, 2013 was denied because the condition treated (acute bronchitis) was unrelated to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and did not meet the criteria for emergency treatment under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of chronic bronchitis, residuals of a left fifth finger dislocation, or right ring finger disorder. Service connection was also denied for right ankle and foot disorders, as well as right shoulder and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic bronchitis did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation at any time relevant to this appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a statement of the case regarding service connection for COPD and chronic bronchitis, as well as a VA examination for his respiratory disorders.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated private treatment records and a VA examination to address the onset of his respiratory disorders and their relationship to service.