Chronic bronchitis Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's current respiratory disorders, including COPD and bronchitis, did not begin during service or as a result of any incident in service. The evidence showed that his symptoms began many years after service separation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to the RO for a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a respiratory disability other than pleural-based plaques, including asbestosis, is denied. His current diagnoses of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and chronic bronchitis are not related to his in-service asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's death was caused by pneumonia, but there is no evidence linking any of the listed conditions to his service. The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death and also denied claims for accrued benefits.

The Veteran's service records show multiple instances of upper respiratory symptoms and disorders, including sinusitis. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and VA treatment records.

The Board denied the claim of entitlement to service connection for chronic bronchitis, finding that it was clearly and unmistakably erroneous due to its onset after separation from active duty.

The Board finds that the Veteran is not in need of regular aid and attendance or permanently housebound due to his service-connected disabilities, and thus, does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance, or by reason of being permanently housebound.

The Veteran's asthmatic allergic bronchitis has required daily inhalational or oral bronchodilator therapy, meeting the criteria for a 60 percent disability rating. Her sinusitis is not rated separately as it does not meet the criteria for chronic frontal sinusitis with involvement of two or more adjacent cranial nerves.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions of chronic bronchial asthma, chronic sinusitis, chronic bronchitis, chronic laryngitis, and chronic pharyngitis were not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence does not support a finding of continuity of symptoms since service.

The VA determined that the Veteran's lung condition, including his residuals of a chest contusion and chronic bronchitis, is not related to his active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic pulmonary condition, to include asthma, bronchitis, and breathing problems is remanded due to the need for additional development including a VA respiratory examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not engage in combat and his reported stressors do not meet the criteria for service connection due to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity. Therefore, service connection is denied for PTSD, psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, bronchitis, Ghon's complex, sleep apnea, anemia, and hyperlipidemia.

The Veteran's service-connected bronchitis with possible bronchiectasis is currently rated at 10 percent effective from August 3, 2010.

The Board found that the Veteran's bronchitis and ulcerative colitis were not caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran was granted service connection for PTSD and lung disease including asthmatic bronchitis and COPD. Service connection for impotence is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is etiologically related to service, granting his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for a history of cold-induced bronchitis and postpartum hemorrhage, finding that these conditions are more likely than not related to the Veteran's period of active service.

The Veteran's lung disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and he does not have any service-connected disabilities. Therefore, his claims for service connection and TDIU are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a link between his current conditions and military service.