Chronic bronchitis — all decisions

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed conditions, including residuals of strained muscles of both legs and bronchitis. The claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bronchitis and obstructive sleep apnea were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bronchitis, finding that there is no current disability related to military service.

The Board is remanding the case to determine if the cause of the veteran's death, COPD, was related to asbestos exposure during his service in the United States Navy.

The veteran's claims for chronic fatigue syndrome and an impaired immune system disorder, including bronchitis and other upper respiratory disorders, are denied as there is no evidence of current disability.

The Board denied service connection for chronic bronchitis as there was no current disability found and the veteran's claim lacked competent medical evidence of a nexus to her active service.

The veteran's bronchitis with emphysema and torn medial meniscus of the left knee are both rated at their maximum levels, with no further increase in ratings possible.

The appellant's total disability picture results in the need for regular and constant use of a wheelchair or other assistive device as a normal mode of locomotion. However, his service-connected disabilities do not result in loss of use of any extremity, thus he does not qualify for a certificate of eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing.

The Board has denied the claim as there is no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's service-connected condition to his death.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not incur a bilateral shoulder disability as a result of active service. The claims for respiratory disorder, arthritis of the right knee, and gastrointestinal disorder have been reopened due to new evidence submitted since the previous final decision but remain denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected chronic asthmatic bronchitis, finding that there is no medical evidence to support a higher disability rating.

The veteran's initial compensable evaluation for nicotine dependence is denied. The RO will conduct further development and readjudicate the issues, including considering Fenderson v. West (1999) with respect to the veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for bronchitis.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bronchitis and a neck disorder due to lack of current diagnoses.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, consistent with his education and previous work experience. Therefore, the appeal for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is granted.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to ensure compliance with recently enacted legislation and to clarify the veteran's diagnostic picture and obtain an opinion as to the etiology of any current respiratory disorder.

The Board has granted the veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that new and material evidence has been submitted. The claims for tinnitus and bronchitis remain denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for a higher rating for allergic asthmatic bronchitis, as it does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under either the old or new VA rating criteria. The issues of evaluating cervical and lumbar spine myositis are deferred pending adjudication of service connection for cervical and lumbar disc disorders.

The VA has denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on current medical evidence.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing at the RO. If his claims are still denied, he will be provided with a supplemental statement of the case.

The Board has granted the appellant's claims for service connection and increased ratings for various conditions, effective from October 12, 2023.