What is Bronchitis?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBronchial tubes are the passageway between the lungs and the mouth. Bronchitis occurs when the tubes become inflamed and swollen, constricting the airway and making it hard to breathe.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.stoneroselaw.com\/veteranslaw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/08\/Bronchitis-VA-Rating_Graphic-1-1024x976.webp\")
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Bronchitis takes two forms: acute <\/strong>and chronic<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Acute bronchitis<\/strong> is a short-term condition that will correct itself in one to four weeks once the immediate cause of the bronchial inflammation subsides. For VA benefits purposes, acute bronchitis is not a disability.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Chronic bronchitis<\/strong> is a long-term condition caused by long-term exposure to bronchial irritants. Chronic bronchitis is a form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD. Chronic bronchitis can take years to develop and can be a progressive condition in that your symptoms can become worse over time.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
For VA disability benefits purposes, chronic bronchitis is a medical condition that can qualify you for VA healthcare and disability benefits<\/strong>. To be classified as having chronic bronchitis, you must meet two requirements:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- You must have a cough and mucus on most days for at least three months a year, for two years in a row<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Your bronchitis symptoms must not be caused by another disease or condition, such as tuberculosis or other lung diseases<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
What Causes Bronchitis?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBronchitis occurs when your bronchial tubes react to significant or prolonged irritation. The source of the irritation can include airborne hazards like sand, dust, asbestos, industrial chemicals or pollutants, or air toxins released by burn pit exposure<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nCigarette smoking is another significant contributor to chronic bronchitis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The cause of acute bronchitis can often be viral or, for COPD sufferers, a bacterial respiratory infection.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"An](\"https:\/\/www.stoneroselaw.com\/veteranslaw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/08\/Bronchitis-VA-Rating_Graphic-2-767x1024.webp\")
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Can Chronic Bronchitis Be A Presumptive Condition for VA Benefits?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nA presumptive condition means you do not need to establish a service connection as you would ordinarily need to receive VA disability benefits. Instead, the VA will automatically presume that a service connection exists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the past, smoking could make it harder for veterans to get their disability claims for bronchitis accepted by the VA. However, with the 2022 PACT Act, the VA now presumes chronic bronchitis is service-connected if you can prove exposure to burn pits during certain times and places while on active duty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Who Qualifies for a Presumptive Bronchitis VA Rating?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThe PACT Act defines specific times and places of service that qualify you for benefits based on a presumptive service connection. There are two main categories for eligibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gulf War Era Service in the Following Countries After August 2, 1990<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nIf you were deployed to the following countries (including maritime, air, or space service) after August 2, 1990, your chronic bronchitis will qualify as presumptive:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Bahrain<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Iraq<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Kuwait<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Oman<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Qatar<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Saudi Arabia<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Somalia<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- United Arab Emirates<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.stoneroselaw.com\/veteranslaw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/08\/Bronchitis-VA-Rating_Graphic-3-1024x891.webp\")
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War on Terror Service in the Following Countries After September 11, 2001<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nIf you were deployed to the following countries after September 11, 2001 (including maritime, air, or space service), your chronic bronchitis would qualify as presumptive:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Afghanistan<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Djibouti<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Egypt<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Jordan<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Lebanon<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Syria<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Yemen<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Uzbekistan<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Or any other country determined relevant by the Secretary of Defense.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.stoneroselaw.com\/veteranslaw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/08\/Bronchitis-VA-Rating_Graphic-4-1024x891.webp\")
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When Did the VA Begin Granting Presumptive Chronic Bronchitis Benefits?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nThe VA began granting chronic bronchitis claims effective October 1, 2023. If you are terminally ill, homeless, in severe financial difficulty, aged 85 or older, or can demonstrate other acceptable causes, the VA will move this date back to August 10, 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Are The Symptoms of Bronchitis?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe most common bronchitis symptoms are a persistent cough (sometimes called “smoker’s cough”) accompanied by thick mucus. These result from your lungs’ natural efforts to clear themselves of the irritants causing bronchial irritation: the mucus lifts particulate matter from your lung tissue, and the coughing expels the mucus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Other bronchitis symptoms include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Shortness of breath that worsens when you become active<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- A feeling of discomfort or tightness in your chest<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Wheezing or crackling sounds as you breathe<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Frequent respiratory infections<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- A sense of fatigue<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- A low-grade fever<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Bluish lips or fingernail beds<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Distinguishing Bronchitis from Other Respiratory Illnesses<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBronchitis is one of several respiratory conditions you may develop due to your service, including asthma, pneumonia, emphysema, pulmonary fibrosis, tuberculosis, and sinusitis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The primary way to tell chronic bronchitis apart from most other respiratory conditions is the consistent heavy mucus production. Your doctor will be the best authority to diagnose you with bronchitis or any other condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Establishing a Direct Service Connection for Chronic Bronchitis<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nIf you can’t establish a presumptive service connection, you can still receive disability benefits for chronic bronchitis. However, you’ll need to prove the condition is linked to your service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To do this, you may need to undergo tests that measure your lung function. These tests are called:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Forced Vital Capacity (FVC)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second (FEV-1)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Diffusion Capacity of the Lung for Carbon Monoxide by the Single Breath Method (DLCO)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Pulse Oximetry<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThe FEV-1 test measures the maximum amount of air you can breathe out in 1 second, measured as a percentage compared to a healthy person of your age.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can receive a 10% COPD VA disability rating if you can only breathe out 80% of the air that a healthy person can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Forced Vital Capacity<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nFVC test results measure how much air you can exhale after taking a full breath.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Diffusion Capacity of the Lung for Carbon Dioxide<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThis test measures your body\u2019s ability to transfer oxygen into red blood cells.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The VA uses the results of these tests to learn how much your chronic bronchitis condition impairs you and affects your daily activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Other evidence the VA may consider includes a chest X-ray in cases where you may have pneumonia, as well as the severity of your symptoms, their frequency and severity, and whether your bronchitis requires prescription drug treatment or hospitalization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Compensation and Pension Examination for Chronic Bronchitis<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nOnce you have submitted your application for chronic bronchitis disability benefits, the VA will evaluate your claim. During this period, the VA may require you to undergo a Compensation and Pension (C&P) examination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A C&P exam gives the VA a chance to learn more about your condition, your symptoms, your medical treatment to date, and the effects of chronic bronchitis on your ability to work and engage in daily activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Missing your scheduled exam without good reason and failing to reschedule could result in a claim delay or denial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chronic Bronchitis as a Secondary Service Connection Disability<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nChronic bronchitis can contribute to the development or aggravation of another service-connected disability. Examples of these secondary disabilities include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Asthma<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Heart disease<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Obstructive sleep apnea<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
To establish a secondary service connection, you must provide medical evidence documenting how your chronic bronchitis condition directly contributes to the development or aggravation of your chronic bronchitis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you have multiple compensable VA disability ratings, you can estimate how much you might receive in veterans’ benefits by using our VA Disability Calculator<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nVA Ratings for Bronchitis<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bronchitis takes two forms: acute <\/strong>and chronic<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For VA disability benefits purposes, chronic bronchitis is a medical condition that can qualify you for VA healthcare and disability benefits<\/strong>. To be classified as having chronic bronchitis, you must meet two requirements:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bronchitis occurs when your bronchial tubes react to significant or prolonged irritation. The source of the irritation can include airborne hazards like sand, dust, asbestos, industrial chemicals or pollutants, or air toxins released by burn pit exposure<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cigarette smoking is another significant contributor to chronic bronchitis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The cause of acute bronchitis can often be viral or, for COPD sufferers, a bacterial respiratory infection.<\/p>\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n A presumptive condition means you do not need to establish a service connection as you would ordinarily need to receive VA disability benefits. Instead, the VA will automatically presume that a service connection exists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the past, smoking could make it harder for veterans to get their disability claims for bronchitis accepted by the VA. However, with the 2022 PACT Act, the VA now presumes chronic bronchitis is service-connected if you can prove exposure to burn pits during certain times and places while on active duty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The PACT Act defines specific times and places of service that qualify you for benefits based on a presumptive service connection. There are two main categories for eligibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you were deployed to the following countries (including maritime, air, or space service) after August 2, 1990, your chronic bronchitis will qualify as presumptive:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you were deployed to the following countries after September 11, 2001 (including maritime, air, or space service), your chronic bronchitis would qualify as presumptive:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n The VA began granting chronic bronchitis claims effective October 1, 2023. If you are terminally ill, homeless, in severe financial difficulty, aged 85 or older, or can demonstrate other acceptable causes, the VA will move this date back to August 10, 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The most common bronchitis symptoms are a persistent cough (sometimes called “smoker’s cough”) accompanied by thick mucus. These result from your lungs’ natural efforts to clear themselves of the irritants causing bronchial irritation: the mucus lifts particulate matter from your lung tissue, and the coughing expels the mucus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Other bronchitis symptoms include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bronchitis is one of several respiratory conditions you may develop due to your service, including asthma, pneumonia, emphysema, pulmonary fibrosis, tuberculosis, and sinusitis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The primary way to tell chronic bronchitis apart from most other respiratory conditions is the consistent heavy mucus production. Your doctor will be the best authority to diagnose you with bronchitis or any other condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you can’t establish a presumptive service connection, you can still receive disability benefits for chronic bronchitis. However, you’ll need to prove the condition is linked to your service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To do this, you may need to undergo tests that measure your lung function. These tests are called:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The FEV-1 test measures the maximum amount of air you can breathe out in 1 second, measured as a percentage compared to a healthy person of your age.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can receive a 10% COPD VA disability rating if you can only breathe out 80% of the air that a healthy person can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n FVC test results measure how much air you can exhale after taking a full breath.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n This test measures your body\u2019s ability to transfer oxygen into red blood cells.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The VA uses the results of these tests to learn how much your chronic bronchitis condition impairs you and affects your daily activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Other evidence the VA may consider includes a chest X-ray in cases where you may have pneumonia, as well as the severity of your symptoms, their frequency and severity, and whether your bronchitis requires prescription drug treatment or hospitalization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you have submitted your application for chronic bronchitis disability benefits, the VA will evaluate your claim. During this period, the VA may require you to undergo a Compensation and Pension (C&P) examination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A C&P exam gives the VA a chance to learn more about your condition, your symptoms, your medical treatment to date, and the effects of chronic bronchitis on your ability to work and engage in daily activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Missing your scheduled exam without good reason and failing to reschedule could result in a claim delay or denial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chronic bronchitis can contribute to the development or aggravation of another service-connected disability. Examples of these secondary disabilities include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n To establish a secondary service connection, you must provide medical evidence documenting how your chronic bronchitis condition directly contributes to the development or aggravation of your chronic bronchitis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have multiple compensable VA disability ratings, you can estimate how much you might receive in veterans’ benefits by using our VA Disability Calculator<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
\n
What Causes Bronchitis?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nCan Chronic Bronchitis Be A Presumptive Condition for VA Benefits?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Who Qualifies for a Presumptive Bronchitis VA Rating?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Gulf War Era Service in the Following Countries After August 2, 1990<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWar on Terror Service in the Following Countries After September 11, 2001<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhen Did the VA Begin Granting Presumptive Chronic Bronchitis Benefits?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
What Are The Symptoms of Bronchitis?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
Distinguishing Bronchitis from Other Respiratory Illnesses<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Establishing a Direct Service Connection for Chronic Bronchitis<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Forced Vital Capacity<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Diffusion Capacity of the Lung for Carbon Dioxide<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Compensation and Pension Examination for Chronic Bronchitis<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Chronic Bronchitis as a Secondary Service Connection Disability<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
VA Ratings for Bronchitis<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n