Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2003

The Board has granted service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, finding that the veteran's current respiratory disability is a continuation of his in-service respiratory problems and linking it to military service.

The Board found that the veteran's bronchitis did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent. The TDIU claim was also denied as there is no evidence showing he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due solely to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have service connection for any of the claimed conditions, including PTSD, hearing loss, upper respiratory disorders, tonsillitis, hemorrhoids, low back injury, frostbite, ingrown toenails, numbness of hands, fracture of left thumb, right shoulder dislocation, left elbow disability, arthritis of the back and shoulders, hyperopia and presbyopia, chloracne (claimed as secondary to herbicide exposure), or acute/subacute peripheral neuropathy (claimed as secondary to herbicide exposure).

The Board has granted service connection for chronic bronchitis and asthma, finding that the veteran's current respiratory problems are at least as likely as not related to his exposure to smoke in service.

The Board found that the veteran's bronchitis, eye disorder, and loss of taste and smell were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The veteran's service-connected bronchitis with pulmonary emphysema renders him unable to adequately tend to the needs of daily living without regular assistance, and he is granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under either the old or revised VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current respiratory disability due to in-service disease or injury and therefore denied his claim for service connection for asthmatic bronchitis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bronchitis was first manifested during his active service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for sinus bradycardia, bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The veteran's claim for service connection of bronchitis and upper respiratory infection was denied as there is no evidence to support a nexus between the current conditions and military service.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal before a decision could be made.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for COPD, emphysema, and bronchitis due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied an increased rating for bronchitis as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on pulmonary function tests.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bronchitis is attributable to service and grants his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right (major) shoulder, status post dislocation. The issues of entitlement to service connection for bronchitis, concussion, and bilateral knee and leg disabilities will be addressed separately.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic bronchitis and bilateral bronchiectasis as residuals of in-service pneumonia. Service connection for chronic rhinosinusitis and allergic rhinitis is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current cough-variant asthma disorder is likely to have begun during his active service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the veteran does not have bronchitis or emphysema related to her service. The veteran's emphysema was diagnosed after separation from service and is considered new and material evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for pension benefits based on non-service-connected disabilities, finding that his claim was abandoned due to his failure to respond within one year of repeated requests for evidence.