Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2002

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected lobectomy, right middle and lower lobes, with bronchitis is manifested by dyspnea with moderate obstruction on cardiopulmonary exercise tests and an FEV1 of 51 percent. The criteria for a 60 percent evaluation have been met.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various undiagnosed illness-related conditions, including headaches, sleep apnea, skull calcifications, diarrhea, positive tuberculin test findings, and chronic bronchitis. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Board has granted the restoration of a 20 percent rating for bilateral defective hearing, but the claim for an increased evaluation for service-connected bronchitis was withdrawn by the appellant.

The Board finds that the veteran's nicotine dependence and asthma are not service-connected. The veteran's chronic bronchitis/COPD is also not established.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, allergic rhinitis, bronchitis, and right ear hearing loss. The claim of service connection for headaches was reopened but remains denied.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 30 percent for the veteran's hiatal hernia, gastritis and erosive esophagitis with intermittent rectal bleeding and a history of coughing up blood. The issue of service connection for breathing difficulty is not addressed as it does not involve a claim for service connection.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected pleuritis and chronic bronchitis do not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent on or after January 4, 2001.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, concluding that his heart disability was not due to a disease or injury incurred in service and that no service-connected condition caused or contributed to his death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence for an upper respiratory infection, to include bronchitis. The claim for postoperative residuals of a right lung granuloma with chest pain was also denied as there is no established link between the condition and military service.

The Board found that the veteran's asthmatic bronchitis is not attributable to his military service and denied the claim.

The Board denied service connection for a chronic pulmonary disorder, to include asthma and bronchitis, finding that the veteran does not currently have such a condition.

The veteran's claims for service connection for heart disease, osteoarthritis (claimed as rheumatism), residuals of an injury to the chest, arms, and legs, and bronchitis were denied because there is no current disability or evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted a 60 percent disability rating for the veteran's chronic bronchitis and asthma before November 28, 2000, and a 100 percent disability rating from that date. The decision is based on severe impairment of lung function.

The Board found no evidence of chronic conditions such as bronchitis, neurological disorder, skin disorder, sinusitis, or defective vision that were incurred during active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 and TDIU due to a lack of evidence showing that his current eye disability was caused by VA medical treatment, and because he is not unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted an effective date of March 22, 1996 for the award of service connection for COPD due to asbestos exposure. The veteran's claim was reopened on this date.

The Board found that the veteran does not currently have bronchitis, pharyngitis, hypertension, or a low back disability. Therefore, service connection for these conditions was denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected herniated nucleus pulposus with degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, residuals of a fractured right ankle with degenerative joint disease, bilateral hearing loss, and bronchitis. The veteran was found not to meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under the applicable rating schedule.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder, sinusitis, or bronchitis during service and there is no current diagnosis of these conditions. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be established.

The veteran's chronic bronchitis is found to be related to his in-service exposure to welding fumes, and the Board grants service connection for this disability.