Chronic bronchitis Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to an error in notifying the Veteran of his right to a hearing, and for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a pulmonary condition, including interstitial lung disease, emphysema, and bronchitis. The evidence does not establish that these conditions are related to military service.,Service connection was denied because there is no persuasive evidence showing that the current bilateral hearing loss had its onset in service or is causally linked to noise exposure during service.

For the period prior to June 3, 2024, a 40 percent evaluation for degenerative disc disease L4-5 (lumbar disability) is granted.,For the entire period on appeal, an evaluation more than 40 percent for a lumbar disability is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bronchitis, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to her in-service episode of acute bronchitis.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected left ankle disability.,The Veteran's respiratory disability (asthma, COPD, chronic bronchitis) is granted based on exposure during active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic bronchitis, claimed as respiratory issues, began or was aggravated during active service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted based on his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The SMC housebound and aid and attendance claims are denied due to lack of evidence showing the need for regular aid and assistance.

Service connection for COPD and bronchitis obliterans is granted due to the PACT Act presumption. Service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected PTSD is also granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for chronic bronchitis is being remanded due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error. The AOJ needs to provide an explanation for not conducting a DLCO test and may need to consider additional evidence or examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for headache disability and increased rating for chronic bronchitis (claimed as a respiratory condition) during the January 2026 Board hearing.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but denied service connection for asthma, bronchitis, chronic rhinitis, and chronic sinusitis.

The Board denied service connection for asthma, acute sinusitis, and bronchitis as there was no evidence of a current disability or causation to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, a respiratory disability other than asthma, right shoulder disability, rhinitis, and sinusitis have been denied. The claim for GERD has resulted in a 30% rating but not higher.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for entitlement to service connection for bronchitis and a rating in excess of 20 percent for right shoulder impingement syndrome due to procedural errors and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's PTSD, claimed as memory loss, moodiness, and irritability, has been granted service connection.,The Veteran's tension headaches have been granted service connection based on exposure to burn pits during his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and his TDIU claim is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for acute bronchitis is being remanded due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors, requiring a VA medical opinion.

The Veteran has withdrawn their appeal for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for chronic bronchitis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right hip disorder and PTSD, do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation. His non-service connected conditions such as diabetes, pancreatitis, and right eye blindness significantly impact his employment capabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for chronic bronchitis is denied. The Board finds that the Veteran did not continuously pursue a previous claim for chronic bronchitis prior to July 4, 2024.