Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2001

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for major depressive disorder and multiple physical disorders, including ear infections, ear aches and pains, sinus infections, drainage problems, allergies, bloody nose, colds, flu, bronchitis, and other disorders of the head, ears, nose, throat, bronchial tubes, and lungs as secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The claims are being remanded for additional development.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional medical examinations and information regarding employment status. The appellant's disabilities, including hypertension and hyperlipidemia, have not been fully evaluated in the context of pension purposes.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchitis, a skin condition, emphysema, and asthma claimed as secondary to mustard gas exposure. However, there is no evidence of mustard gas exposure during active duty, and the preponderance of the evidence does not link these conditions to active duty.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for his knee and foot conditions, as well as rhinosinusitis, were denied. Service connection was established for these conditions, but the RO found that they did not warrant increased evaluations.

The Board found that the veteran's chronic respiratory disorder, including emphysema and bronchitis, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The claim for hypertension is also denied.

The Board denied service connection for mitral valve prolapse and denied initial ratings greater than 10 percent for lumbosacral disability including a left ileum sclerotic degree, sleep apnea, and chronic bronchitis. The veteran's claims were not well grounded for the left shoulder disorder, reflux esophagitis, asthma, and photophobia.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected chronic bronchitis with bronchiectasis and bilateral varicose veins, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings. The decision also noted that the veteran's leg pain was primarily associated with non-service connected peripheral vascular disease.

The veteran's service-connected residuals of pneumonia and bronchitis are currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that these conditions do not warrant a higher rating based on current medical evidence.

The veteran's unauthorized hospitalization and medical treatment at Jupiter Hospital for chronic obstructive lung disease and acute bronchitis were not service-connected, so reimbursement is denied.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death and denied DIC benefits. The evidence did not establish that nicotine dependence or tobacco use during service caused the veteran's death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypothyroidism, chronic bronchitis, alopecia areata, and irritable bowel syndrome. The claim for reopening of the irritable bowel syndrome was also denied.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for psychiatric, skin, and pulmonary disorders, as well as a condition on the buttocks. The reasons are not provided in this text.

The Board found no competent medical evidence establishing that bronchitis was incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran requires regular assistance in most aspects of daily living, primarily with respect to protection from hazards incident to his daily environment, bathing and dressing on account of service-connected pulmonary and psychiatric disabilities. The need for A&A is based on the character of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has ordered the RO to obtain private medical records identified by the veteran and ensure full compliance with remand requests. The appeal is now pending for further development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current diagnoses of bronchitis and pneumonia are secondary to his service-connected arrested pulmonary tuberculosis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diagnosed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchitis, emphysema, and laryngitis were incurred as a result of his in-service full-body exposure to mustard gas. As such, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for sinus bradycardia, residuals of a left knee strain, bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for cause of death and entitlement to accrued benefits, finding that there was no evidence linking any of the claimed conditions to active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for a 60% rating for bronchitis with reactive airway disease due to chlorine gas exposure and for TDIU, finding that no earlier effective dates were factually ascertainable.