Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2004

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and a need for further examination.

The VA has denied the veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for bronchitis with a history of bronchiectasis, as there is no evidence showing that his disability warrants such a higher rating. The TDIU claim was also denied because the combined ratings do not meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims of service connection for syphilis and bronchitis due to insufficient evidence.

The veteran's claim of service connection for a pulmonary disorder due to tobacco use is denied as the law precludes such claims filed after June 9, 1998. The Board also denies service connection for other pulmonary disorders and a constricted larynx based on lack of evidence supporting these claims.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional pulmonary function tests, specifically DLCO(SB) measurements.

The Board found no evidence of a breathing problem due to an undiagnosed illness during service and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen any of these claims.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to inadequacies in the most current VA medical examinations, specifically regarding findings for maximum oxygen consumption. The case will be reviewed again after a new examination.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and verifying stressor events.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for high frequency hearing loss, left ear; sinusitis and bronchitis as a result of exposure to herbicides; and skin rash as a result of exposure to herbicides. The appeals were based on presumptive service connection due to exposure to Agent Orange.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected disabilities, including asthmatic bronchitis, myositis of the lumbar spine, conjunctivitis, histoplasmosis, and bilateral hearing loss, was granted. The effective date for a TDIU is set at March 19, 1991.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The VA determined that the veteran's current respiratory problems are not related to his active military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's lung disease, diagnosed as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and bronchitis, is not related to service or exposure to Agent Orange. The claim for secondary service connection was denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA medical records and to attempt verification of in-service stressors for PTSD. The RO will also arrange for a VA dermatology examination.

The Board found that the veteran timely filed a notice of disagreement with the September 2001 rating decision, which reinstated his appeal on all issues except for service connection.

The veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including gastrointestinal disorder, respiratory disorders, skin rash, and mood disorder due to an undiagnosed illness are granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities did not contribute substantially or materially to his death, and thus denied the claim for service connection for cause of death.

The Board has granted the veteran's request to reopen her claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The other issues on appeal remain unresolved.

The Board found that the evidence did not support a schedular evaluation in excess of 30 percent for the appellant's chronic bronchitis, as it did not demonstrate severe ventilatory impairment or other required manifestations.