Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2008

The Board denied service connection for GERD and asthmatic bronchitis, finding that these conditions were not caused by or aggravated by the veteran's service-connected psychogenic gastrointestinal disturbance.,A compensable rating was also denied for the veteran's service-connected psychogenic gastrointestinal disturbance.

The Board has granted service connection for pleural asbestosis and remanded the issues of chronic bronchitis and COPD to allow for further development.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including chronic bronchitis, left ankle disorder, gastroenteritis, right heel disorder, pes planus, a disorder of the right index finger; headaches or a right knee disorder, were denied as there is no current diagnosis on file for any of these conditions.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected chronic bronchitis is being remanded due to insufficient examination findings. The examiner did not provide supporting rationale for their opinions and there is a lack of clarity regarding the relationship between the veteran's respiratory disorders, excluding COPD, and active service.

The Board denied service connection for viral bronchitis and granted a 10 percent evaluation for lumbosacral strain.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for recurrent bronchitis with recurrent asthma and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent or any compensable evaluation. The arthritis claim was not addressed as it pertained to an issue other than service connection.

The VA determined that the veteran's current pulmonary disability is not related to his military service, specifically noting no asbestosis condition found upon examination and lack of a nexus between the veteran's current respiratory condition and his military service.

The veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred from September 17, 2002 to September 19, 2002 were denied as the treatment was not for a service-connected disability and no emergency condition existed.

The VA determined that there is no evidence of a current respiratory disability, specifically chronic bronchitis, that was incurred or aggravated by service. The veteran's symptoms were attributed to his service-connected sinusitis.

The Board denied service connection for a chronic lung disorder and degenerative arthritis of the right ankle, finding no evidence linking these conditions to active service or service-connected disabilities. The veteran's current diagnoses were not shown to be related to his in-service illness.,Service connection was also denied for osteoarthritis of the right hip as there was no formal or informal claim received prior to February 22, 2007.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination.

The Board has denied all service connection claims for various psychiatric, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, and respiratory conditions. The veteran's service records are silent on these issues, and there is no clear and unmistakable evidence that any of the claimed conditions existed prior to service or were aggravated by service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection and compensation for various conditions, including a head injury laceration scar, left ankle disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, depression, dehydration, hepatitis B exposure, heart condition, hypertension, chronic respiratory disorder, sinusitis, and post-operative deviated nasal septum.

The VA denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's service-connected bronchitis, currently rated at 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to insufficient efforts in investigating the veteran's stressor allegations and obtaining a VA examination regarding PTSD, chronic bronchitis, hypertension, and ED.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not currently suffer from a left or right ankle disability, a left trapezius muscle strain, bronchitis, or bilateral hearing loss. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is being remanded to the RO for further action, including scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating prior to May 27, 1998 was denied. From May 27, 1998 onwards, he is entitled to a 30 percent evaluation based on his service-connected respiratory disorder.

The veteran does not have additional disability of hiatal and paraesophageal hernias as a result of VA treatment, which was not caused by carelessness, negligence, or lack of proper skill.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for COPD with chronic bronchitis, finding that there is no association between his current disorder and his in-service pulmonary ailments.