Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2005

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C virus is related to his military service and granted service connection. However, there is no evidence linking the current chronic bronchitis to his military service.

The VA has determined that the veteran's emphysema with bronchitis does not warrant a rating higher than 30 percent, as his lung function tests do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bronchitis, irritable bowel syndrome, restless leg syndrome, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, coronary artery disease, arthritis of the knees, hips, shoulders, elbows, and hands. The decision also denies service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for additional testing.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected bronchitis, citing current manifestations that are currently adequately compensated under the regular schedular standards.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lower right posterior chest disability with chronic respiratory infections and cervical spine disability, including headaches and arm numbness, are service-connected.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, including as due to an undiagnosed illness, finding that his current respiratory problems are not related to his active service or any incident therein.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for respiratory disability (claimed as tuberculosis) and PTSD. The VA found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran did not have a current diagnosis of bronchitis or herpes simplex, and that any such conditions were not incurred in service. The decision also noted that there was no evidence linking her herpes simplex to her active nasal disease.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current diagnosed chronic bronchitis is not a residual of any symptomatology noted in his service medical records, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found no evidence of chronic bronchitis being incurred during service and denied the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for breathing problems, including tracheobronchitis and allergic rhinitis, as they are not related to herbicide exposure or any disease or injury during service.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection for bronchitis and coronary artery disease, both claimed as secondary to Agent Orange exposure and PTSD respectively.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a neurological disorder of both legs and feet was granted. The claims for arthritis of both feet, ankles, knees, and legs and chronic bronchitis were denied.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected chronic bronchitis is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tendonitis of the left wrist is related to his military service.,There is no current diagnosis or evidence of bronchitis in the record.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bronchitis, scars from lipoma removal, and residuals of a left hand fracture are not supported by the evidence of record. The medical evidence does not show any findings or symptoms warranting a compensable rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has reopened the claims of entitlement to service connection for left hemidiaphragm paralysis and bronchitis, but denied all other issues. The veteran is required to undergo a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any lung disease and disability of the left hemidiaphragm.

The case is being remanded for further review of additional evidence received since the last supplemental statement of the case issued in September 2003. The veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for chronic bronchitis with emphysema remains under consideration.

The Board found no evidence of service-connected disabilities related to mustard gas exposure and denied the veteran's claims.