Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2008

The appeal was dismissed due to the veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD and respiratory condition, to include bronchitis, are service-connected as they were incurred during his military service.

The Board has instructed the RO to schedule a VA examination for the veteran's service-connected bronchitis with a history of bronchiectasis. The case is now REMANDED due to errors in notification regarding consequences of failure to report for the scheduled examination.

The veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the cause of death is not proximately due to VA care or treatment. The claim for accrued benefits based on lung cancer is denied as there is no evidence linking it to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB), and bronchitis. The evidence did not show a current diagnosis of any of these conditions or a causal link to his military service.

The VA determined that the veteran's increased rating for bronchitis with emphysema is not warranted, as his respiratory problems are attributed to tobacco use and do not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on pulmonary function tests or other specific conditions.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, back disability, bronchitis, and liver disability due to lack of evidence supporting the veteran's claimed in-service stressors and failure to provide sufficient details regarding his alleged combat experiences. The claim for chloracne related to Agent Orange exposure is pending.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and bronchitis. The evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD, and there is no clear and unmistakable evidence that any of these conditions were pre-existing or aggravated by service.

The VA determined that the veteran's chronic bronchitis with bilateral upper lobe nodules does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, as his pulmonary function tests have consistently been within normal limits and do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for his claimed conditions, finding that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss or service connection for skin cancer, hypertension, COPD, or chronic bronchitis based on herbicide exposure. The veteran's current disabilities were found to be unrelated to service.

The veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Stephens Memorial Hospital on March 31, 2002 is denied as the treatment was not rendered in a medical emergency and VA facilities were feasibly available.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, sinusitis, bronchitis, and bilateral myalgias of the calves as secondary to his service-connected melioidosis. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis, hepatitis B and C, back injury residuals, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), asthma, and bronchitis. The claim for tinnitus was granted with a 10 percent evaluation.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including depression and skin disabilities, were denied as there was no evidence of a chronic disability in service or for many years after service. The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence did not support the veteran's claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, lumbar spine disability, headaches, upper respiratory disability, bilateral foot disorder, and OSA. The veteran was also denied entitlement to special monthly pension on account of being housebound or in need of aid and attendance due to his disabilities.

The Board finds that the veteran's chronic obstructive bronchitis is likely due to his service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the evidence does not support restoration of a 60 percent rating for reactive airway disease, and thus remanded the case to the RO for further action.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the need for additional medical evaluations and records.

The veteran's increased rating claims for acne vulgaris and bronchitis were denied by the RO. The clothing allowance claim was also denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bronchitis and pulmonary tuberculosis, finding that there is no evidence to support these conditions as being related to his military service.