Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2011

The Board denied the claim of entitlement to service connection for chronic bronchitis, finding that it was clearly and unmistakably erroneous due to its onset after separation from active duty.

The Board finds that the Veteran is not in need of regular aid and attendance or permanently housebound due to his service-connected disabilities, and thus, does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance, or by reason of being permanently housebound.

The Veteran's asthmatic allergic bronchitis has required daily inhalational or oral bronchodilator therapy, meeting the criteria for a 60 percent disability rating. Her sinusitis is not rated separately as it does not meet the criteria for chronic frontal sinusitis with involvement of two or more adjacent cranial nerves.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions of chronic bronchial asthma, chronic sinusitis, chronic bronchitis, chronic laryngitis, and chronic pharyngitis were not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence does not support a finding of continuity of symptoms since service.

The VA determined that the Veteran's lung condition, including his residuals of a chest contusion and chronic bronchitis, is not related to his active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic pulmonary condition, to include asthma, bronchitis, and breathing problems is remanded due to the need for additional development including a VA respiratory examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not engage in combat and his reported stressors do not meet the criteria for service connection due to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity. Therefore, service connection is denied for PTSD, psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, bronchitis, Ghon's complex, sleep apnea, anemia, and hyperlipidemia.

The Veteran's service-connected bronchitis with possible bronchiectasis is currently rated at 10 percent effective from August 3, 2010.

The Board found that the Veteran's bronchitis and ulcerative colitis were not caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran was granted service connection for PTSD and lung disease including asthmatic bronchitis and COPD. Service connection for impotence is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is etiologically related to service, granting his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for a history of cold-induced bronchitis and postpartum hemorrhage, finding that these conditions are more likely than not related to the Veteran's period of active service.

The Veteran's lung disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and he does not have any service-connected disabilities. Therefore, his claims for service connection and TDIU are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a link between his current conditions and military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's CAD is presumptively associated with his in-service herbicide exposure and grants service connection for this condition. The claims for chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and malaria residuals are denied as there is no competent medical evidence to support their association with service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, degenerative disc disease of the low back, L4/5, and claudication of the right and left lower extremity. The decision found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and bronchitis have been granted. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss remains pending. The claim for a compensable rating for hypoglycemia has not been addressed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD and asthmatic bronchitis, both secondary to his service-connected psychogenic gastrointestinal disturbance, are being remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a video hearing. The appeal will be handled in an expeditious manner.

The Veteran's aspirational bronchitis is currently rated at 30 percent, the maximum rating available under VA regulations. The appeal has been denied as there are no additional conditions or theories of service connection that would warrant a higher rating.