Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2007

The Board denied service connection for COPD and chronic bronchitis, finding that there is no medical evidence linking the current conditions to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, asbestos related lung disease, and bronchitis. The appeal is REMANDED to obtain VA records, provide VCAA notice, and arrange for a supplemental opinion from the November 2005 examiner.

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic bronchitis is denied, and his TDIU claim is also denied as he does not meet the criteria for unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's respiratory disorders, including recurrent bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, and pulmonary fibrosis, were not incurred or aggravated in service. The evidence does not establish a link between his current respiratory conditions and his military service.

The Board finds that the veteran's current respiratory disability, including bronchitis and emphysema, is related to his active service. Therefore, service connection for a respiratory disability is granted.

The veteran's hypertension was not incurred in service and is not related to his diabetes.,Bronchitis and restrictive defect were not incurred in service. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to service or exposure to herbicide agents.,A skin disorder, including tinea cruris, seborrheic dermatitis, folliculitis, and chronic uticaria, was not shown to be related to service.

The Board denied service connection for hypothyroidism, ulcerative colitis, left ankle degenerative arthrosis and necrosis, and bronchitis. The veteran's hearing loss was also rated as non-compensable.,Service connection was not granted for any of the claimed conditions.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination to determine if any current respiratory disorder is related to service. The issues of service connection for asthma, bronchitis, and bilateral hearing loss are also pending.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis, right ankle disability, shingles, right foot disability, and right wrist disability due to lack of current evidence of these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, chronic bronchitis and asthma. The evidence submitted was not considered new and material as it did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's erectile dysfunction is causally related to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type 2. The remaining issues on appeal are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection for various conditions, including bilateral weak feet, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchitis, asthma, seborrheic keratosis (now claimed as skin cancer), emphysema, and keratitis with clouded vision. The appeals were not successful due to lack of evidence supporting the veteran's claims.

The Board denied service connection for a skin condition of the head, back, arms, hands, and legs, bronchitis, and PTSD. The veteran's diabetes mellitus was rated at 20 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including psoriatic arthritis, chronic bronchitis, recurrent tinnitus, ingrown toenails, major depressive disorder, temporomandibular joint syndrome, and residuals of avulsion fracture of the right distal fibula/tibia. The appeals are based on direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete medical records and inadequate discussion of service connection on a secondary basis.

The veteran's death was caused by respiratory failure, chronic obstructive bronchitis and pneumoconiosis. The appellant contends that the service-connected diabetes mellitus Type II contributed to her husband's cause of death. The case is being remanded for additional development.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic bronchitis disorder during service or for many years thereafter, and denied the veteran's claim for service connection. For PTSD, the Board determined that there was insufficient credible supporting evidence to establish an in-service stressor related to combat experience.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bronchitis was denied. The claims for increased ratings of major depressive disorder, GERD, and bilateral hearing loss were granted. Service connection for contact dermatitis is not addressed in the decision.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical examinations and opinions regarding the veteran's service-connected sinusitis and its impact on his other claimed disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and a dental disorder. The decision also noted that new evidence had not been received to reopen the claim for residuals of pneumonia.