Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2010

The Board found that there was no evidence linking the Veteran's service or any incidents therein to the disabilities that caused his death. Therefore, service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is not warranted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected bronchitis and left foot disability, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the appellant's claims of service connection for bilateral ankle disability, bilateral hip disability, pelvic disability, and bronchitis. The Board found that there was no evidence showing a chronic condition during service or related to service.

The Veteran's COPD and chronic bronchitis are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his military service or Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for emergency room treatment at Florida Hospital/Fish Memorial on January 31, 2008 are approved as the delay in seeking care would have been hazardous to his health and no VA facility was feasibly available.

The Veteran's claims for respiratory disorders, low back disorder, and PTSD have been previously denied. New evidence has not raised a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.,The Veteran's right foot and heel disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board found no evidence associating the Veteran's pulmonary disability with his active service or service-connected disabilities, and denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lung disorder due to in-service exposure to herbicides, but finds that there is no evidence linking his current lung conditions to military service or Agent Orange exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran's headaches and respiratory disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service. The appeals for these conditions are denied.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis, chronic bronchitis, major depressive disorder, or TMJ syndrome related to service. The claims for these conditions were therefore denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bronchitis and hypertension do not prevent him from securing and following some type of substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for chronic bronchitis and left ankle disability, but granted service connection for a left foot disability. The Veteran's current diagnoses do not support his claims for chronic bronchitis or left ankle disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hip disorder, hypertension, right shoulder disorder, rheumatoid arthritis, asthmatic bronchitis, pericarditis with syncope, and potassium losing nephropathy. The denial is based on a lack of competent evidence linking these conditions to service or the undiagnosed illness presumption.

The Veteran is currently rated at 60 percent for his service-connected chronic bronchopulmonary disease with emphysema and asthmatic bronchitis, with pleural calcification, both lungs. He was previously granted a noncompensable rating prior to August 5, 2008, and from that date he is rated at 60 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings on multiple service-connected conditions, including tinnitus and hearing loss, was denied. The Veteran also requested service connection for otitis media of the left ear and bronchitis, but these claims were not addressed as they are not related to service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including a VA examination and review of the claims file.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a disability manifested by coughing, previously characterized as bronchitis, was granted. The claims for higher initial ratings for low back strain, right shoulder strain, left shoulder strain, and right wrist strain are also addressed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability manifested by chronic fatigue syndrome, tinea pedis, chest and cardiovascular symptoms, bronchitis and pharyngitis (claimed as ear, nose, and throat problems), headaches, or sensitivity to bright light due to disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by active service.,The Veteran's currently diagnosed tension headaches are not related to service origin. The atypical chest pain is considered a manifestation of an undiagnosed illness that was incurred in service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Veteran was granted a non-compensable evaluation for his hearing loss in the right ear, but his claim for an initial compensable rating for his hearing loss in the left ear remains denied.

The Veteran's lung disabilities, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthmatic bronchitis, were not incurred in or aggravated by his active military service.