Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bronchitis and therefore cannot establish service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that chronic bronchitis was first manifested during service and is a result of disease or injury incurred in service, thus granting the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a respiratory disability, which includes asthma, COPD, and bronchitis. The decision is based on evidence submitted by the veteran regarding his exposure to environmental hazards in the boiler room and during the Gulf War.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD, depression, chronic bronchitis, or a bilateral foot disorder. The evidence fails to establish any link between these conditions and service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, chronic bronchitis, and hypertension. The right ankle disability claim is pending.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, chronic bronchitis, cancer of the stomach, and a heart condition due to the prohibition on service connection for disabilities resulting from the use of tobacco products.

The Board found that the veteran's current respiratory disabilities are not related to his service or herbicide exposure, and thus denied his claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's currently diagnosed bronchial asthma and asthmatic bronchitis were incurred during his active service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen claims for service connection for left knee disorder, low back disorder, and residuals of a lung nodule. The right foot and heel disorders are also denied.

The Board found that the veteran's current respiratory problems are not related to his in-service exposure to asbestos or participation in Project SHAD. The Board also found no evidence of a chronic back disability and denied service connection for residuals of head injuries, including headaches.

The RO denied the veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including knee disorder, acid reflux disease (GERD), low back disorder, hip disorder, testicular pain, ankle disorder, legs/thigh disorder, bronchitis, recurring hives with sweating, and sinusitis. The veteran did not provide a specific NOD regarding these denied issues.

The November 2006 Board decision denied entitlement to a rating in excess of 30 percent for hiatal hernia, and denied an effective date prior to August 18, 1995, for the grant of service connection for COPD/chronic bronchitis, as well as grants of increased ratings and TDIU. The veteran now contends that these determinations contain clear and unmistakable error (CUE).

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations to assess his service-connected bronchitis and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left leg condition, skin rash, dental condition, lump under the right arm, low back condition, and bronchitis. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bronchitis, and COPD. The decision also noted that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim of service connection for bronchitis.

The Board has determined that the veteran is likely to have PTSD due to traumatic experiences in service, and therefore grants service connection for PTSD.

The Board has ordered additional development due to outstanding medical records and service personnel records.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses, finding that the services provided were not for a medical emergency and that VA facilities were feasibly available.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for the cause of death, but the evidence does not support granting the claim as the veteran's respiratory condition was not a significant contributing factor to his death.