Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2009

The Veteran's lung condition, shown as bronchitis, bronchiectasis, and asthma, did not have onset in active service or within one year of separation from active service, and is not otherwise etiologically related to active service. Therefore, the claim for service connection has been denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bronchitis, as well as his requests for increased evaluations for GERD and right knee disability. The evidence did not support a current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for cause of the Veteran's death, concluding that chronic bronchitis was not a contributory factor in his death.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for all issues except the ones related to Agent Orange exposure. The Board does not have jurisdiction to review these remaining issues.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent, and his asthmatic bronchitis is also rated at 10 percent. Both conditions are currently assigned the maximum schedular rating under their respective diagnostic codes.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic bronchitis and non-specific dermatitis of the torso and upper extremities, as these conditions are not presumed due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The claim was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, when combined based on the single body system of arthritis, total more than 40 percent. The Board finds that the Veteran is as likely as not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities and grants a TDIU.

The Veteran's bronchitis treatment on January 6, 2005 was not considered an emergency requiring immediate medical attention. A VA facility was available and feasible for the care needed.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial rating for left pulmonary nodule were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a respiratory disability including bronchitis, bilateral hearing loss, or tinnitus attributable to service. The claim for alcoholic hepatitis was due to alcohol abuse and filed after October 31, 1990. The left pulmonary nodule has not been shown by competent evidence to result in impairment of pulmonary function.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, chronic bronchitis, and residuals of skin cancer. The evidence did not establish a current diagnosis or link to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing at the RO.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim and determined that his current respiratory conditions, including allergic rhinitis and chronic asthmatic bronchitis, are related to service. The decision is based on direct evidence of a connection between the Veteran's in-service exposure and his current condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing chronic bronchitis was aggravated by his exposure to environmental pollutants during active duty service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, claimed as bronchitis, is denied because there is no competent evidence of a diagnosed current disability.

The Veteran's lung disorder, including bronchitis, asthma, and chronic pulmonary obstruction, is not shown to be due to service or any event/occurrence therein. The Board denied the claim as there was no evidence of mustard gas exposure during service.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 50 percent for sleep apnea, effective as of the date of receipt of the claim.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a respiratory disorder, including as due to an undiagnosed illness. The Board has ordered a new examination and opinion to determine the nature and etiology of any current disability of the respiratory system.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic lung disease during service and concluded that the Veteran's current pulmonary disorder is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of all bases, including exposure to radiation or herbicides.