Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2010

The Veteran's service-connected chronic bronchitis was granted a 60 percent rating from March 11, 2008.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed residuals of pneumonia, diagnosed as chronic bronchitis, are not due to disease or injury incurred in service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection. The lung disorder claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board found that there is no evidence of a respiratory disorder or hypertension during service, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected chronic sinusitis did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation, as there was no evidence of three or more incapacitating episodes per year requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment or more than six non-incapacitating episodes per year characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge. The claim for increased evaluation for bronchitis is pending.

The Veteran asserts service connection for a low back disability and other conditions. The Board finds that additional verification of his Reserve service is needed.,The Veteran asserts service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability. The Board finds that additional verification of his Reserve service is needed and a new VA examination is necessary to determine the nature and etiology, including aggravation, of any hearing loss demonstrated to have existed either during service or prior to service.,The Veteran asserts service connection for gastrointestinal disability (GERD and hiatal hernia). The Board finds that additional verification of his Reserve service is needed and a new VA examination is necessary to determine the nature and etiology, including aggravation, of any gastrointestinal condition demonstrated to have existed either during service or prior to service.,The Veteran asserts service connection for chronic nasal allergies (sinusitis and/or rhinitis). The Board finds that additional verification of his Reserve service is needed and a new VA examination is necessary to determine the nature and etiology, including aggravation, of any chronic nasal allergy demonstrated to have existed either during service or prior to service.,The Veteran asserts service connection for pulmonary disability (bronchitis). The Board finds that additional verification of his Reserve service is needed and a new VA examination is necessary to determine the nature and etiology, including aggravation, of any bronchitis demonstrated to have existed either during service or prior to service.

The Board found that there is no evidence linking the Veteran's current pulmonary disorder to his service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for service-connected chronic urethritis and asthmatic bronchitis are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic bronchitis and finds that it is related to his active service. The Veteran was diagnosed with chronic bronchitis during service, which he contends was caused by exposure to cold conditions in barracks without heating.

The Board found that the Veteran's bronchitis did not have its onset in service or is otherwise related to his active military service, and denied his claim for service connection. The bilateral pes cavus was noted upon entry into active military service and there is no evidence showing it increased in severity during service.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine disease was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim. The Veteran's bronchitis is currently diagnosed but there is no evidence of a nexus to service.

The Veteran's service-connected respiratory disorder, characterized by chronic bronchitis and pneumonia, is currently rated at 30 percent for the period beginning September 15, 2009. The Board has determined that this rating is appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied across multiple conditions, including psychiatric disorder, recurrent upper gastrointestinal bleeding, hypertension, post-concussion syndrome, bronchitis, transitional lumbar vertebra, neck strain, and seizure disorder. The appeals are based on direct service connection rather than presumptive or secondary theories.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for asthma, hypertension, and emphysema with bronchitis due to new evidence indicating a possible continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's chronic bronchitis was found to have existed in service and continues to exist post-service, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's claims for throat infections, scarring of the right arm, testicular mass, and respiratory disability (bronchitis) are denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 50%, which does not meet the statutory requirements for a TDIU claim. The Board finds that his service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable.

The Board has granted service connection for atrial flutter on a secondary basis to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. The Veteran's bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claimed conditions were not found to be related to her service, and the Board denied all of her claims.