Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2004

The Board found no link between the veteran's respiratory disorder during active duty and his current respiratory disorders, including PTSD. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and evaluation of the veteran's asthma claim due to in-service treatment for bronchitis.

The Board denied the motion for revision of an April 29, 2002 decision that assigned an effective date of March 22, 1996 for a grant of service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, chronic bronchitis and pleural thickening due to asbestos exposure.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have bilateral varicose veins, and thus service connection for this condition is denied. Service connection for bronchitis is also denied.

The veteran's appeal was denied as he did not have qualifying service for basic eligibility to receive nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for prostate cancer residuals is denied as the maximum schedular rating of 60 percent has been met. The issue of service connection for bronchitis is also denied.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for increased rating for sinusitis and service connection for respiratory and pulmonary disability, including bronchitis and upper respiratory infections. The claim to reopen his previously denied gastrointestinal condition is also granted.

The VA determined that the veteran does not have a current left knee disability, arthritis, or respiratory condition that is service-connected.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current respiratory disorder is not due to service, specifically exposure to diesel fumes or byproducts. The preponderance of evidence indicates that his condition is more likely related to years of smoking.

The Board found no evidence of chronic bronchitis in service or for many decades thereafter, and concluded that the veteran's currently diagnosed condition was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis and bronchitis, as well as his claim for outpatient dental treatment on the basis of dental trauma. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current COPD may be related to his military service, including exposure to asbestos and smoking. However, further development is needed to clarify this relationship.

The Board found that there is no competent medical evidence to support the current existence of chronic bronchitis, which was not incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The veteran's PTSD, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and bronchitis were all granted service connection. The PTSD was rated at 30 percent, the gastroesophageal reflux disease did not meet criteria for a higher rating, and the bronchitis was also rated at 30 percent.

The Board found that the RO's initial grant of service connection for nicotine addiction and chronic bronchitis was clearly erroneous, and thus severed this service connection. The veteran does not have hypertension or heart disease related to military service or service-connected disability. He also does not have an acquired psychiatric disability, hearing loss, tinnitus, headaches, or dizziness that are related to military service.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by or substantially contributed to by any service-connected disability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot disability, residuals of a viral infection (including bronchitis and strep throat), and PTSD. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim for bilateral foot disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bronchitis, finding that there is no current diagnosis of chronic bronchitis and thus no basis to establish service connection.

The veteran's claims for service connection for chronic bronchitis and upper respiratory infection were denied. The RO granted service connection for Raynaud's Syndrome with a noncompensable evaluation, which was later increased to 10% effective February 12, 2003. Service connection for DDD of the cervical spine was also granted initially at 10%, but this rating is not applicable after September 26, 2003.

The Board denied the appellant's claim to reopen her service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding no new and material evidence that would support reopening the claim.