Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2007

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis, cervical spine disability (DDD), lumbar spine disability (DDD), and scoliosis due to a lack of competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied an increased rating for tuberculosis and the residual conditions of pulmonary surgery, finding that the veteran's current service-connected inactive tuberculosis does not warrant a higher rating due to his development of COPD with chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

The Board found no evidence of current disabilities and denied service connection for malaria, chronic bronchitis, and onychomycosis (foot condition) as they are not related to active duty.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for low back pain, sinusitis and bronchitis, as well as his requests for compensable ratings for left knee disability and hemorrhoids. The Board also found that there was no evidence of a nexus between any current disabilities and service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, chronic bronchitis and an immunosuppressed condition later identified as chronic fatigue syndrome, finding that there was no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his service or to his service-connected bronchial asthma.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bronchitis, finding no evidence of a nexus between her current condition and her military service.

The Board determined that new and material evidence had been received to reopen the claim of service connection for bronchitis, which was subsequently granted.

The VA determined that the veteran's chronic bronchitis does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code, and thus denied his claim for an increased disability rating.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and lower back shrapnel fragments, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The left knee disorder was rated at the minimum level, while the scar of the left shoulder did not meet a compensable rating criteria. Service connection was not granted for chronic bronchitis or tinnitus.

The veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder and bronchitis with COPD have been rated appropriately, but the effective dates for the increased ratings are being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion to address whether the veteran's service-connected conditions contributed to his death and considering all submitted evidence.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic bronchitis and entitlement to an increased evaluation for right foot 2nd metatarsal stress fracture residuals. The claim of service connection for a post-operative right hip fracture is being remanded.

The veteran seeks service connection for bronchitis, which he claims was related to exposure to mustard gas during service. The case is remanded due to incomplete development and the need for verification of mustard gas exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a lack of recent VA treatment records.

The Board found that the veteran's respiratory disability did not meet the criteria for a 100 percent evaluation prior to December 11, 2000. Therefore, the effective date of the 100 percent rating cannot be earlier than December 11, 2000.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, and there is no evidence of a nexus between any claimed conditions and his period of military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, resulting in a denial.

The Board has granted service connection for a chronic respiratory disability, including bronchitis, hypoxemia, and asthma-like illness, which the examiner concluded was caused by rubella infection in service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD with anxiety, residuals of a head injury, hypertension, and bronchitis. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.