Chronic bronchitis Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected chronic bronchitis with COPD requires the care and assistance of another person on a regular basis, meeting the criteria for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's respiratory disability, specifically chronic bronchitis and moderate COPD, was evaluated at a 10% rating since October 10, 2013.

The Veteran's respiratory disability, diagnosed as chronic bronchitis and chronic pneumonia, is shown to be related to his military service. The claim for asthma has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a new examination. The issues are whether his service-connected chronic vasomotor rhinitis with sinusitis caused or aggravated his respiratory disabilities, including bronchitis and COPD.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have chronic fatigue syndrome, a respiratory disorder including asthma and bronchitis, or urinary incontinence. The diagnoses of these conditions were attributed to other underlying issues such as obstructive sleep apnea, depression, low back disorder, and high body mass index.

The Veteran's asthma was aggravated during service, and her left knee disability is due to military service. The Board granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to an incomplete VA examination. The Veteran's current respiratory disability may be related to service, but further clarification is needed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for compensable ratings for his service-connected anal fissure and bronchitis, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating than what was already assigned.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to inadequate VA examinations addressing his respiratory conditions, and the need for a new examination to determine if any current respiratory condition had onset during or as a result of his active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 60 percent for service-connected chronic bronchitis and an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected recurrent major depression due to insufficient evidence regarding maximum exercise capacity.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to determine whether the service-connected schizophrenia caused or aggravated the Veteran's alcohol, cocaine and marijuana abuse. The RO should also request that the Veteran submit any outstanding documents referenced by his attorney, and schedule him for a VA dermatology examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected herpes simplex.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100% since June 3, 2004. His tinnitus is service-connected and rated as secondary to his hypothyroidism. The Veteran's bronchitis is not compensable but warrants a rating of 100%. Other conditions are either not shown or do not warrant increased ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bronchitis had its onset in service and is related to his in-service condition, thus granting service connection for bronchitis.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher evaluation for COPD, bronchiectasis, and chronic bronchitis has been dismissed due to his death before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic bronchitis, including as due to herbicide exposure, is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for chronic bronchitis with allergic rhinitis is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, including as a qualifying chronic disability under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317, is being remanded due to the need for further development and examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bronchitis, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic disability resulting from in-service bronchitis.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for asthmatic bronchitis or asthma, as there is no credible evidence showing such conditions began during active duty and are otherwise related to military service.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol dependence is rated at 70 percent disabling as of April 6, 2009. The effective dates for service connection and TDIU are also set to this date.