Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2002

The Board has granted a 30 percent disability evaluation for chronic bronchitis, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 6600. The veteran's pulmonary function studies show moderately severe mixed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current bronchitis and finds no evidence of a causal relationship between his service-connected pulmonary tuberculosis and his claimed bronchitis. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including arteriosclerosis of the extremities, coronary artery disease, respiratory disorders, skin disorders, left leg amputation, blood disorder, malaria, and right ear perforation, all claimed as due to herbicide exposure. The evidence does not support a current diagnosis or association with these conditions.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a neuropsychiatric disorder, including as secondary to a reported inservice head injury. Service connection was denied for bronchitis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased initial disability ratings for his service-connected herniated disc, bronchospasm (claimed as asthma), and bilateral knee conditions. The veteran was not granted any higher evaluations.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's death.

The Board has granted an initial noncompensable evaluation for each of the veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right knee disability, left knee disability, tendonitis of the right rotator cuff, chronic bronchitis, and PTSD. The RO also assigned a 50 percent evaluation for PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that his established service-connected conditions did not substantially or materially contribute to his death.

The Board finds that the veteran's heart condition resulting from VA treatment is compensable under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151, and his increased evaluation for chronic bronchitis with a history of bronchiectasis remains unchanged.