Chronic bronchitis Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by or a result of his service-connected disabilities, and thus denied DIC benefits.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an upper respiratory condition with bronchitis and a left foot muscle strain, as well as his claim for an initial disability rating greater than 10 percent for his thoracolumbar back disability. The evidence did not support these claims.

The Board found that the veteran's current lung disorders are not related to his service, including exposure to asbestos and mustard gas. The claim was denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic pulmonary disorder, including bronchitis and pulmonary fibrosis, is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the previous VA examination. A new examination is required to determine if his condition is related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD based on the veteran's exposure to stressors during military service off the coast of Vietnam. The issues of nicotine dependence and bronchitis, claimed as secondary to nicotine dependence, are remanded for further development.

The veteran requested to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection for chronic bronchitis with bronchiectasis. The RO granted this request and awarded service connection effective October 15, 1996. The veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date is denied.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for asbestosis and bronchitis due to new medical evidence. However, the preponderance of the competent medical evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are linked to his active service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic bronchitis, arthritis of the left hand due to trauma, and insomnia. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current lung disorders, including bronchitis, emphysema, and COPD, were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board found that the objective medical evidence does not show a link between the veteran's current lung disabilities and mustard gas or asbestos exposure in service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's service-connected bronchitis and chronic recurrent tonsillitis and granular pharyngitis do not meet the minimum percentage requirements for a TDIU, and these disabilities are not shown to prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board is remanding the case for further development, including obtaining additional service medical records and providing notice of the standards related to reopening previously denied claims.

The Board found that the veteran's chronic bronchitis with bronchiectasis did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating, and thus denied his claim for an increased disability rating.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining his service personnel records and determining if he was exposed to asbestos during service. If exposure is found, a VA examination will be scheduled to determine if any of the veteran's pulmonary conditions are related to in-service asbestos exposure.

The veteran's claims for an effective date prior to July 14, 1999 for a 60 percent rating for bronchial asthma with chronic bronchitis and TDIU were granted as of July 17, 2000.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left inguinal hernia, nasal congestion, bronchitis, a left ear condition, and hearing loss. The evidence does not support these claims.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing at the RO. The issues of entitlement to service connection for left ear hearing loss and bronchitis are also pending.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease, hypertension, and chronic bronchitis on a secondary basis to nicotine dependence that began in service.

The veteran's appeal is being returned to the Board for scheduling a hearing before a member of the Board at the RO due to his request.