Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2003

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for his bronchial asthma, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent from August 17, 1994 to July 27, 1999 and 60 percent from July 28, 1999.

The Board has determined that the veteran's pulmonary or lung disability, including bronchitis, was incurred in service and is not a result of clear and unmistakable error in the May 1992 rating decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for asthma or bronchitis, finding that there was no current diagnosis of these conditions and concluding that any diagnosed asthma is not related to his active duty service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the extent of his service-connected bronchial asthma and chronic bronchitis.

The Board has determined that additional efforts are needed to obtain the veteran's complete service medical records and other relevant VA records. The case will be returned for further review.

The Board has granted service connection for both allergic rhinitis and chronic bronchitis, finding that the veteran's current diagnoses are attributable to his service.

The Board has ordered further development in the veteran's case, including obtaining medical records and arranging for examinations. The appeal is currently on hold while additional evidence is gathered.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis, amputation of both fifth toes, and arthritis of the hips, knees, and fingers. The denial was based on a determination that no new and material evidence had been presented to reopen the claim for bronchitis.

The Board has ordered further development in the veteran's case, including obtaining medical records and arranging for examinations to determine the severity of his service-connected anxiety reaction with gastrointestinal reaction, asthmatic bronchitis, and any skin disorder related to exposure to Agent Orange. The case is being remanded for these actions.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the veteran died during the pendency of the appeal, and thus has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic pulmonary disorder, including bronchitis, asthma, and COPD, finding that there was no evidence of exposure to mustard gas during service and thus no basis for presumptive service connection. The Board also found that his current lung problems were not related to service.

The Board denied service connection for asthma, laryngitis, basil cell carcinoma, bronchitis, and keratitis as a result of mustard gas exposure due to lack of full-body exposure during military service.

The Board has granted service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. Section 1151 for the residuals of meningitis, including enlargement of ventricular ventricles, memory loss and headaches. The other claims remain pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of private emergency room care on March 19, 2001 due to a lack of authorization and because VA facilities were feasibly available.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current disability of asthmatic bronchitis or chronic bronchitis and thus denied service connection for these conditions secondary to his service-connected nicotine dependence.

The Board has ordered further development due to missing records from a pulmonary function test performed in January 1998. The case is now remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and service connection have not been met, as there is no evidence of a psychiatric disorder related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbosacral strain, left ankle fracture residuals, and bronchitis. The evaluations were found to be appropriate based on the clinical findings.

The Board found no evidence of current disabilities for the claimed conditions and denied both claims.

The VA has determined that the veteran's chronic bronchitis is not compensable according to the schedular criteria, but it is unclear whether this decision addresses service connection for the condition as secondary to his service-connected residuals of pulmonary tuberculosis.