Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2001

The veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, respiratory disability including sarcoidosis, joint pain, skin condition, and headaches have been denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or onset within one year of separation.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for chronic bronchitis, inverted papilloma, tonsillectomy, and hypertension is denied as untimely.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, variously classified.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to new evidence showing noise exposure during service. The lung disability claim is remanded for further development and examination.

The veteran's appeal is about a rating for his service-connected lower left lobectomy for bronchiectasis with asthmatic bronchitis. The RO has also considered claims for service connection for COPD, which were granted by the January 2001 rating decision.

The veteran's claims for service connection for chronic bronchitis due to nicotine dependence and chronic bronchitis caused by tobacco use in service were denied. The veteran was granted service connection for chronic bronchitis secondary to heavy smoking after service, but not related to service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for asthmatic bronchitis and pneumoconiosis, secondary to exposure to asbestos during service. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases due to a previous decision denying service connection for peripheral neuropathy as secondary to Agent Orange exposure, an increased evaluation for hypertension, and an increased evaluation for bronchitis and COPD. The cases will be reconsidered by the Board.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, finding that none were incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The veteran's chronic bronchitis is rated at 60 percent, the highest possible rating under VA guidelines for this condition.

The veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of his asthmatic bronchitis has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected bronchitis with pulmonary emphysema and history of tuberculosis, which currently results in a 30 percent disability. The RO has requested additional medical records to properly assess the severity of his condition.

The veteran's respiratory disorder, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and histoplasmosis, was evaluated as 30 percent disabling from April 7, 1992 to February 25, 2000.

The veteran's skin rash and chronic cough are not considered to be manifestations of an undiagnosed illness, as they have been diagnosed clinically. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The veteran was granted special monthly pension benefits at the housebound rate for the period from March 1, 1998 through July 21, 1999 due to having hypertension and coronary artery disease rated as 100 percent disabling.

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

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a back condition. Service connection is denied for skin rashes, respiratory problems, and facial hair loss as manifestations of an undiagnosed illness.

The veteran's service-connected asbestosis with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and chronic bronchitis does not meet the criteria for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to his disability.

The Board denied service connection for bronchitis and asthma, finding that the evidence did not establish a chronic respiratory disorder due to an undiagnosed illness or any other basis.

The veteran's claim for service connection for asthma, COPD, bronchitis, and emphysema as due to tobacco use or nicotine dependence in service is denied because the law prohibits such claims after June 9, 1998.