Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2003

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected bronchitis did not meet the criteria for an increased disability evaluation beyond 30 percent.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for service connection for asthma with episodes of bronchitis and diabetes mellitus secondary to herbicide exposure (Agent Orange), but denied his requests for earlier effective dates.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bronchitis is service-connected, but his skin disorder cannot be linked to service or Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic bronchitis and skin disorders are related to his military service, granting these claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bronchitis, finding that the evidence did not show any significant progression of the condition and that the PFT results were unreliable.

The veteran's claimed pulmonary disorders, including bronchitis, hyperventilation, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and emphysema, were not shown to have had their onset during active service or be related to any in-service event. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The VA denied the appellant's claim for service connection for asthma, concluding that there is no evidence linking his current respiratory disorders to his military service.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for pes planus, left ear hearing loss disability, right ear hearing loss disability, tinnitus, bronchitis, hemorrhoids, and anxiety. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's respiratory disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board finds that the appellant's chronic respiratory disease, diagnosed as COPD with emphysema and bronchitis, is likely attributable to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bronchitis and COPD, finding no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current diagnoses of bronchitis and bronchiectasis are related to an episode during active service, specifically his hospitalization for nasopharyngitis in February 1945. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board found no evidence of a causal link between the veteran's service and his current bronchial asthma, with history of bronchitis. The claim was denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the failure of the RO to undertake requested DRO review. The veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, emphysema, and bronchitis secondary to asbestos exposure are being reviewed.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current disabilities associated with his claimed conditions of right knee disorder, vision loss, bilateral hearing loss, or bronchitis. Therefore, he is denied service connection for these conditions.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a left rib fracture, right knee injury, third degree burns on the hands and face, laceration of the chin, tumor on the right side of the rib cage, chronic respiratory disability, cardiovascular renal disease (hypertension), tinnitus, musculoskeletal pain in the shoulder and neck, and chronic stomach pain. The decisions are final based on evidence from service records.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for chronic bronchitis and chronic sinusitis, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not support higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has granted service connection for asbestosis and a calcified lung granuloma, but denied service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and bronchitis due to the veteran's smoking history.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed conditions, including bronchitis, otitis media, left ankle disorder, low back disorder, and gall bladder removal, were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The veteran's right ankle disability was also denied.