Chronic bronchitis Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeals for service connection have been withdrawn. The claims for higher initial ratings for right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee subluxation, and sacroiliac dysfunction are denied as they do not meet the criteria for the assigned disability ratings.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death before a decision could be made.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple conditions, including sleep disorder, memory problems, bilateral pes planus, respiratory disorder (bronchitis and pneumonia), and chronic fatigue syndrome. The appeal is remanded to obtain additional records and provide a medical opinion regarding the service connection for bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for asthmatic bronchitis and chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) are being remanded due to an outstanding hearing request.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of chronic bronchitis in service or that it was caused by service-connected sinusitis. The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic bronchitis is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 70 percent since April 21, 2011. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for this condition.,For TDIU prior to April 21, 2011, the Veteran was found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and chronic bronchitis.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's death and its relationship to his service-connected conditions, including whether any of these conditions were a contributory cause of his death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and chronic bronchitis are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records from a private psychiatrist and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asbestos-related lung disease, including atelectasis and residuals of asbestos exposure, is related to his service. The decision grants the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Veteran's respiratory disability, claimed as bronchitis and COPD, was not present during service or for many years thereafter, and is not considered to be related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further action, including scheduling a hearing with a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Baptist Medical Center on February 18, 2012, meet the criteria for payment or reimbursement under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1725.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for recurrent episodes of bronchitis and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a reopening of the claim. The Veteran does not have a current respiratory disorder other than recurrent episodes of bronchitis.

The Veteran's chronic bronchitis was incurred during service and is currently shown. The Board finds that the Veteran has entitlement to service connection for chronic bronchitis.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and any police report or autopsy report related to the Veteran's death. The appellant will be provided with a supplemental statement of the case if service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is not granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant prior to a decision being made.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral ankle disorder, low back disorder, and left eye hyperopia and amblyopia. The claim for service connection for bronchitis was reopened with new evidence showing a current diagnosis of bronchitis. Service connection is granted for these conditions. No service connection is granted for pancreatitis or left hip disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and requires a supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's diabetes, eye disorder, lung disorder (bronchitis), sinus disorder, and right ear hearing loss were not found to be related to his active duty service.,However, the Veteran was granted service connection for right ear hearing loss due to in-service noise exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected bronchitis and sinusitis did not cause or contribute to his death due to cardiac arrest, lung cancer, and hypertension. The medical opinions concluded that these conditions were not related to his death.