Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2007

The Board has found that the veteran's asthma warrants a 30 percent rating, but his overall disability picture does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The hypertension and diabetes mellitus with adhesive capsulitis of the right shoulder issues are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death in July 1992, and no new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen this claim.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of bronchitis or a right ankle condition, and thus service connection cannot be granted for these conditions.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied across multiple conditions, all related to Agent Orange exposure. The Board found no evidence of current diagnoses or a link between the claimed conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic pulmonary disorder, including bronchitis and pulmonary fibrosis, was not incurred in or related to his military service.

The veteran's right thumb disability is rated at 10 percent, and his chronic bronchitis is rated at 10 percent since November 17, 2005. The initial compensable ratings are granted.

The Board found no evidence to support a connection between the veteran's current respiratory disabilities and his service, including exposure to asbestos. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board denied increased ratings for chronic bronchitis and chronic sinusitis, but granted a 30 percent rating for hiatal hernia.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if the veteran's bronchitis and COPD are related to military service, given the addition of recent medical records.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including skin condition (claimed as acne), sinusitis, bronchitis, right knee condition with arthritis, diabetes mellitus type II, and erectile dysfunction. The appeals are currently pending due to the need for further development of the hypertension claim.

The veteran's claims for headaches, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic bronchitis were denied as there is no current diagnosis of a chronic condition related to service. The veteran was not exposed to noise trauma in-service or post-service that could be linked to his conditions.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for asthma and bronchitis, finding no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his active service.

The Board found that the veteran's current respiratory disabilities are not related to his active duty service and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for chronic bronchitis is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and determine if his SSA benefits are related to his service-connected condition.

The Board finds that service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss. Service connection is not granted for defective vision, left eye disability, hyperlipidemia, tonsillitis, upper respiratory disability, headaches, bilateral foot disability, pharyngitis, left thumb and wrist disabilities, bronchitis, right elbow disability, or residuals of a laceration of the left forehead.

The veteran is seeking service connection for COPD, emphysema, and bronchitis. The VA has ordered a remand to provide the veteran with an examination to determine if his lung diseases are related to asbestos exposure during service.

The Board's decision on the increased rating for bronchitis with a history of bronchiectasis and total unemployability was dismissed due to the Court's remand.

The veteran's claims for an increased rating and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for further examination and development of his service-connected respiratory disability.

The veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound is remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the additional evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including bronchitis. The claims were denied.