Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a current disability for which service connection is warranted, and thus the claims are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD and a lumbar spine disability, but the claims for bronchitis, chest pain, and hypertension are remanded due to incomplete development of the record.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have residuals of catarrhal fever, and any current respiratory disability is more likely related to his service-connected sinusitis than to his in-service catarrhal fever. The claim for service connection for a respiratory disability is denied.

The Veteran's current level of severity of his service-connected respiratory disorder does not warrant a rating higher than the currently assigned 30 percent evaluation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including residuals of colon cancer, right shoulder disability, left testicle disability, bronchitis/asthma, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and heart disability. The appeals were based on new and material evidence for residuals of colon cancer.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed disability manifested by upper respiratory infections or bronchitis, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's death was determined to be caused by her service-connected bronchitis, which the Board found either principally caused or substantially contributed to her terminal respiratory failure. The claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Veteran's chronic bronchitis has not met the criteria for a higher disability rating, as his FEV-1 and FEV-1/FVC have not been less than 40% of predicted value.

The Board has found that the Veteran's COPD was not incurred in or aggravated by his active service. The VA examiner opined that the Veteran's COPD is less likely than not due to his in-service respiratory complaints, attributing it instead to cigarette smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a current diagnosis of bronchitis, chronic sinusitis, or recurrent pharyngitis. For his rhinitis and ring finger fracture, initial compensable evaluations were granted. However, the GERD claim was denied as there was no significant impairment.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's initial ratings for bronchitis and lumbosacral strain were granted, with the Bronchitis receiving a rating of 10 percent effective January 13, 2009. The Veteran was also awarded TDIU from May 9, 2002 to April 5, 2005.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD and bronchitis, finding that the current disabilities are related to in-service asbestos exposure. The Veteran's smoking history is also considered.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and no jurisdiction remains for the Board to adjudicate the claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, asthma and bronchitis, and a left foot and ankle disability were denied. However, the Board found in favor of the Veteran on his claim for a left foot and ankle disability as it is likely related to service. The other claims remain denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing and considering all submitted evidence.

The Board found that there is no evidence to support a relationship between the Veteran's current respiratory and back conditions and his military service, thus denying both claims.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for asthma and bronchitis. The claim is therefore denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for COPD was denied, but he is currently service connected for chronic bronchitis. The Board finds that the weight of evidence supports attributing his respiratory symptoms to known clinical diagnoses rather than Gulf War syndrome.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current disability of frostbite or its residuals, blurry vision, recurrent heat stroke, drooling, whole body muscle pain and tightness, hyperglycemia, back disability, bronchitis, or vertigo. The preponderance of evidence is against these claims.