Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2007

The Board found that the veteran's countable income exceeded the maximum annual rate of improved pension for a veteran with no dependents in 2002, and therefore denied his claim.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bronchitis, bronchial pneumonia, emphysema, or COPD. The May 1990 decision denying service connection is final.

The veteran's mechanical low back pain was rated at 10 percent from April 26, 2004, to February 24, 2005. The initial compensable rating for bronchitis has been denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for bronchitis. The Board also found that the pre-existing condition worsened during service, but not permanently.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis, low back disorder, and depression. The claim for a compensable rating for residuals of a fractured nose was granted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis, and chronic maxillary sinusitis due to a lack of competent medical evidence linking these conditions to her military service.

The Board denied service connection for pulmonary tuberculosis, bronchitis, and asthma, finding that the conditions existed prior to service or were not aggravated by service.

The VA determined that the veteran's bronchitis did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating based on pulmonary function test results.

The veteran's initial ratings for asthmatic bronchitis, low back strain, residuals of head trauma (manifested by a tender scar and headaches), fracture of the right fifth metacarpal, and tinea pedis with bilateral onychomycosis have been denied.,No specific rating has been assigned for sinusitis.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to ensure compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA) and other applicable laws, regulations, and case law.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for bronchiectasis and a TDIU due to service-connected disability. The evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have service connection for any of the claimed conditions, including Pulmonary Tuberculosis, Arthritis, Heart Disease, Bronchitis, and Residuals of a Gunshot Wound to the Left Foot. The claims are denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current respiratory disorder, identified as chronic bronchitis with areas of scarring and bronchiectasis with recurrent bronchiatic infections, is etiologically related to his in-service respiratory problems. The claim for service connection for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis remains pending.

The veteran is seeking service connection for bronchitis, which may be granted on a presumptive basis due to exposure to Agent Orange. However, the VA has not yet provided proper notification regarding this claim.

The Board denied service connection for sinus and nasal disorder, bronchitis, and hypertension. The veteran's SFW of the right thigh was granted service connection but not rated higher than 10 percent. His DJD of the right knee was also granted service connection but with a 10 percent rating.

The Board denied the veteran's attempt to reopen his claim for service connection for COPD, finding that the new evidence submitted was not material and did not show that COPD is attributable to military service.

The veteran's neck disability, degenerative arthritis of the neck, is not currently manifested and current neck pain has been present since a recent non-service-related car accident.,Allergic sinusitis with headaches and coughing up blood is not currently manifested.,Traumatic arthritis of the right ankle was incurred in active service. The veteran sustained an injury while on inactive duty for training in 1979.,The veteran's reactive airway disease with chronic bronchitis has been treated with daily oral inhalational bronchodilator therapy and is currently manifested by generally normal pulmonary function tests with the possibility of malingering.,Right great toe pain with gouty arthritis is manifested by frequent pain episodes, mid-level pain, a limp, use of a cane, and avoidance of walking up steps.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen his previously denied claims.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied. The Board found that the claimed conditions are not related to active service and did not arise from an undiagnosed illness.

The Board denied service connection for burns to the esophagus and a respiratory disability, including on the basis of exposure to ionizing radiation. The veteran's claims were not supported by competent medical evidence or a dose assessment.