Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2000

The Board has not reopened the claims for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence. The veteran's low back, right hand, left shoulder, and bronchitis disabilities are all considered well grounded but have not been granted service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for a disorder manifested by memory loss is not well-grounded. The issues of increased evaluations for left nephrectomy, lumbosacral strain with arthritis and sciatic neuralgia, bronchitis with history of pulmonary fibrosis, and left ear hearing loss have been denied.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for an earlier effective date for death pension benefits and for nonservice-connected disability pension for accrued benefits, finding that no entitlement to such benefits was due at the time of the veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection for a back condition and bronchitis are not well-grounded, as there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected chronic pulmonary tuberculosis with chronic bronchitis does not warrant a compensable rating due to inactive and noncompensable conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's death was due to a service-connected disability, specifically chronic bronchitis which began during active service and contributed to his lung cancer.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions are denied as there is no competent medical evidence of current disabilities.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bronchitis was denied, but his bilateral hearing loss was granted an increased rating to 50%. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted and others not.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claims for residual scars from removal of cysts, headaches, sinusitis, and bronchitis are denied as not well grounded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bronchitis does not warrant a compensable rating under either the old or new criteria for respiratory disorders, and thus denies the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected mild obstructive sleep apnea, bronchitis with a history of pneumonia and scarred lungs, and cognitive impairment not otherwise specified. The RO had initially granted these conditions with specific ratings but the veteran appealed.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for the veteran's bronchitis and bronchospastic restrictive lung disease.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, bronchitis, heart disease, and hypertension are not well grounded. The evidence does not support a finding of current disability or a link to military service.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected bronchitis does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent, based on recent pulmonary function test results.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a pulmonary disease (including bronchitis, asthma, and emphysema) due to exposure to asbestos and porphyria cutanea tarda due to exposure to Agent Orange. The evidence did not support a link between these conditions and his period of service or any incident therein.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis, headaches, and right ear hearing loss are not well grounded. The claim for an increased evaluation for post-traumatic stress disorder is also not well grounded.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic bronchitis have been denied as his conditions do not warrant a higher rating based on the current medical evidence.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic back disability and chronic respiratory disability (including bronchial asthma and bronchitis) were not well-grounded. The VA treatment records did not show any chronic residuals from the inservice injuries or illnesses, and there was no evidence of continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis and reactive airway disease, eczema, acne and folliculitis, and a psychiatric disorder (including PTSD). However, the claims are denied as they do not meet the well-grounded claim criteria. The heart disorder claim is also denied.