Chronic bronchitis Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including low back disability, groin injury residuals, pulled abdominal muscle, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), breathing condition (chronic bronchitis), colon cancer, H. pylori infection, diabetes mellitus, gout, and hemorrhoids (precancerous condition). The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting back disorder was not aggravated by any period of active duty or ACDUTRA service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hives, bladder infections, PID, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome of the hands, myopia (eye disability), vaginal yeast infections, toenail fungus, and a back condition have all been denied. The Veteran has not provided new evidence that would reopen any of these claims.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bronchitis and asthma was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current breathing problems and throat condition are not related to his military service, including exposure to asbestos and cement dust.

The Veteran's current diagnoses of asbestosis and chronic bronchitis are found to be related to his in-service asbestos exposure, resulting in a grant of service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for restoration of separate evaluations for his obstructive sleep apnea, bronchitis and asthma was denied as the January 2013 rating decision correctly applied the regulations to combine these conditions into a single evaluation.

The Veteran's COPD with bronchitis is manifested by post-bronchodilator FEV-1 of no less than 70 percent predicted, which does not meet the criteria for a higher initial disability rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's current pulmonary conditions, including COPD and bronchitis, are not related to his active service or exposure to herbicides. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current respiratory disability and denied his claim of service connection for a respiratory disability (claimed as bronchitis).

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the initial compensable disability rating for COPD with chronic bronchitis. The right ear hearing loss is currently rated as Level IV, which corresponds to a noncompensable rating.

The Board denied service connection for schizophrenia, bronchitis, and right and left knee disorders due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims regarding dizziness, a rating in excess of 30 percent for ulcerative colitis, a compensable rating for hemorrhoids, and an earlier effective date for service connection for bronchitis.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board denied accrued benefits claims for the Veteran's respiratory, seizure, cardiac, skin, eye, and psychiatric disorders due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current respiratory condition is not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides. The claim was denied as there is no evidence of a chronic lung disorder during or immediately after service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/emphysema due to acute bronchitis and bilateral hearing loss. The decision on the latter issue is pending further action.

The Veteran's claim for an increase in his rating for COPD with bronchitis and bronchiectasis was granted, with a 30 percent rating effective January 20, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and development of the claims file to determine the current severity of his service-connected disabilities, including lung cancer with scarring, COPD, chronic bronchitis, peripheral neuropathy of both feet, and polycythemia.

The Veteran's service does not qualify for non-service connected death pension benefits as there is no evidence of qualifying wartime service or active duty for training with a service-connected condition. The appeal is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and need for additional testing. The Veteran's respiratory disability, including asthma, bronchitis, or an undiagnosed illness, is being reviewed.

The Veteran's surviving spouse was substituted as the claimant for his pending claims of service connection for respiratory disability, chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular disability, and hypertension. The Board found that these conditions are related to in-service exposure to carbon tetrachloride.