Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2005

The Board has withdrawn the appellant's appeal for service connection of a larynx disability. Service connection for bronchitis is denied as there is no evidence linking it to service. The issue of service connection for residuals of hysterectomy as secondary to pelvic inflammatory disease remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to VCAA notification issues and the need for additional medical examination.

The veteran's chronic bronchitis has been rated at 10 percent since March 21, 1997. From November 17, 2004, the rating is increased to 30 percent.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic bronchitis disabilities. The veteran's claims were not supported by the evidence of record.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD and a skin disability. The decision also addressed other issues such as diabetes mellitus, hearing loss, and sleep apnea.

The veteran's service-connected arthritis is not related to his inservice shrapnel wounds. The residuals of the right chest wound are rated at 20 percent, and the residuals of the right thigh and forearm/abdomen wounds are each rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease and chronic bronchitis, but granted service connection for COPD. Service connection for sinus condition and asthma is not addressed as the issues are unclear.

The Board denied an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for inactive tuberculosis with residual scarring and bronchitis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for pharyngitis and COPD/bronchitis, finding no current disability related to these conditions. The VA examiner concluded that any current symptoms were attributable to his COPD, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for clarification on whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the previously denied claim seeking service connection for respiratory disability, including tracheobronchitis, COPD or bronchiectasis, due to exposure to mustard gas in service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected conditions did not cause his death from liver failure, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board denied service connection for bronchitis with bronchospasm (claimed as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) as a result of gunshot wound to chest, finding no evidence of such condition in service or within several years after discharge. The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for conversion reaction with back pain remains pending.

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

The Board finds that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis and COPD, nummular eczema, herpes, and dermatitis (claimed as rashes).

The veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder (COPD and Bronchitis) has been reopened, with the Board finding that new and material evidence supports reopening of this claim. The Board also found that his current respiratory disorder is related to his active duty service.,Service connection was denied for conjunctivitis, right eye, as there is no clear evidence linking this condition to his military service.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his bronchitis with obstructive and restrictive components, and a history of asbestos exposure was denied. The current evaluation is 60 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a hearing loss disability for VA purposes and her tinnitus is not service-connected. The other conditions listed in the issues section are either not supported by evidence or were resolved prior to separation from service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected respiratory disability was denied. The Board also found that the veteran does not have a separate stomach disability, including gastroenteritis and irritable bowel syndrome, which is not related to her service-connected GERD.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current pulmonary disorders are not related to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence, except for the claim related to an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD). The other issues were not addressed as they are part of a larger appeal.