Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2000

The Board found no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's current conditions to service, including exposure to ionizing radiation. The claims were therefore denied as not well grounded.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a respiratory disorder, including bronchitis, as a result of exposure to Agent Orange in service.

PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling. Service connection for memory loss, folliculitis, and bronchitis due to Agent Orange exposure is granted. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy due to Agent Orange exposure is also granted.

The Board found no competent medical evidence to support the veteran's claims of current sinusitis and bronchitis related to service, thus denying both claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased rating for kidney stones, service connection for gallstones, bronchitis, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), as well as reopening of his claims for neck pain with radiculopathy into the back and shoulders due to degenerative arthritis and headaches.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claim is well grounded and VA has a duty to assist in its development. The appellant presented medical evidence linking his current disabilities, including bronchiectasis, to his service-connected pneumonia.

The Board has granted a special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance due to multiple disabilities, including macular degeneration, coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease with recurrent transient ischemic attacks, smokers bronchitis, low back syndrome with osteopenia, and mixed psychoneurosis. The appellant's left thigh gunshot wound residuals are currently evaluated at 30 percent.

The Board found no competent medical evidence of a current diagnosis of asbestosis or a nexus between any current lung disability from asbestos exposure, thus denying the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy is denied as there is no competent evidence linking it to his active service, including exposure to Agent Orange. The claims for increased evaluations of left shoulder dislocation, hypertension, and chronic bronchitis with COPD are also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for hidradenitis suppurativa and chronic bronchitis are not well-grounded, and her claim for an increased evaluation for residuals of a chip fracture of the right fifth toe does not meet the schedular criteria.

The Board denied the claim as there is no medical evidence linking the current pneumonia and its residuals to any disease or injury in service.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for chronic bronchitis, finding that the submitted evidence was not new and material.

The Board dismissed the motion for revision of the June 6, 1997 decision on the grounds of CUE regarding whether new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for chronic bronchitis.

The veteran's nicotine dependence and acquired psychiatric disorder (depression and anxiety) are found to be related to his service-connected coronary arteriosclerosis. His bronchitis is not currently shown, but he has been granted service connection for arthritis of the right index finger. The other claims have either been denied or require further development.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disorder, including chronic bronchitis and bronchial asthma, finding no competent medical evidence linking the current lung disorders to military service.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD or bronchitis, secondary to tobacco use and awarded a 100 percent disability rating effective September 27, 1990. The veteran is now eligible for payment of attorney fees from past-due benefits.

The veteran's appeal regarding his PTSD was granted with a 30 percent disability rating. The appeal concerning his initial rating for asthma, reactive airway disease, and bronchitis was withdrawn by the appellant prior to the Board's decision.

The veteran's service-connected bronchitis is rated at 10 percent, and the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the old rating criteria. The new criteria do not apply as the claim was filed before October 7, 1996.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection, restoration of a 30 percent evaluation for asthma with bronchitis, and increases in evaluations for his nervous condition and right wrist reflex sympathetic dystrophy. The RO proposed to reduce the veteran's 30 percent evaluation for asthma with bronchitis from October 1, 1989, but the veteran did not contest this reduction.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for nicotine dependence and emphysema/bronchitis are not well-grounded, but granted his application to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for residuals of a fracture of the right elbow. The other issues remain unresolved.