Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2009

The Board found no evidence of bronchitis or COPD during service, and there is no probative evidence linking the Veteran's current respiratory conditions to his military service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU from January 28, 2003 to March 9, 2006 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the inadequacy of the June 2006 VA examination and the need for further development, including a heart murmur secondary to respiratory disability.

The Board found that the evidence received since the last final decision in January 2002 is cumulative and does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of pneumonia and bronchitis, headaches, tinnitus, and a low back disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to active service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected chronic bronchitis with COPD is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and updated treatment records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of perirectal abscesses, bronchitis, gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD), hidradenitis suppurativa, migraine headaches, and hypertension. The Board also denied her increased rating claims for degenerative joint disease of the right knee and left knee, as well as a disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for recurrent acute bronchitis and COPD was reopened, and the Board found that these conditions were incurred in service. The claim for lung cancer was not addressed as it is not related to his service-connected sinusitis and rhinitis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a pulmonary examination to determine the severity of his chronic bronchitis with bronchiectasis.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have current chronic shin splints or respiratory system disabilities related to his active service. The evidence of record does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA mental health records and asbestos exposure verification. The Veteran's claims for PTSD and bronchitis due to asbestos exposure will be reconsidered based on this additional evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have residuals of pneumonia, bronchitis and COPD, or cluster/migraine headaches as a result of his military service. The evidence is against finding any connection between these conditions and his time in service.

The VA determined that the Veteran does not have current chronic bronchitis and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the evidence and information currently of record are sufficient to substantiate the issue of service connection for hypertension. Service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic bronchitis has not met the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent at any time during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for an automobile and adaptive equipment is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including medical records from private physicians.

The Board found that the Veteran's rhinitis and bronchitis are not related to his active duty service, and thus denied both claims for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's bronchitis was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, including due to exposure to herbicides. The preponderance of evidence is against a finding of direct service connection for bronchitis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for reactive airway disease (claimed as bronchitis) and rotator cuff tendonitis of the right shoulder, finding no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's lung disability, including COPD, bronchitis, asthma, and bronchiectasis, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.