Chronic bronchitis Board decisions

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for chronic asthmatic bronchitis and remanded it for further development, including a VA examination.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied due to his failure to appear for scheduled VA examinations without providing good cause.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD and for a TDIU rating, both effective November 21, 1996. The case was remanded to obtain medical records and readjudicate the claim for an increased rating for bronchitis.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current diagnoses of bronchitis or a psychiatric disorder, claimed as panic attacks. The preponderance of evidence is against the claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and a pulmonary specialist's opinion on the veteran's bronchial asthma.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for chronic bronchitis, and thus denied the veteran's claim.

The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for chronic bronchitis is being remanded due to the need for new medical examination and additional development of his VA treatment records.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right and left ankle disorders, as well as his claim for an increased evaluation for degenerative joint disease of the left knee. The evidence does not support a finding of current diagnoses or a link to service.

The VA has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), a myocardial infarction, memory loss, concentration loss and forgetfulness, blackouts, headaches and equilibrium problems secondary to head trauma, hives, dry skin, nose bleeds, lung disorders due to asbestos exposure, and tingling of the hands.

The Board found no evidence of chronic conditions during service and denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis, hemorrhoids, and a cardiovascular disorder (hypertension).

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to incomplete development and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verifying the veteran's in-service personal assault and obtaining her service medical records. The veteran is also to be provided a VA examination to determine if her current PTSD diagnosis is related to an in-service stressor.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for service-connected chronic bronchitis with emphysema was denied as his FEV-1 and FEV-1/FVC ratings were consistently greater than 40 to 55 percent predicted, and he did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational background and occupational experience, thus denying a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disorders.

The Board found no evidence of the claimed conditions during or within one year after service, and thus denied all claims for service connection.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a lung disorder, including bronchitis, emphysema, and COPD, due to inservice exposure to asbestos is dismissed because the claim was received after June 9, 1998. The VCAA notice requirements were satisfied as per the timeline of events.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bronchitis is not related to his service, including exposure to herbicides. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for bronchitis and degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine, finding that the veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, chronic bronchitis and right knee disability, were not incurred or aggravated during service. The Board found no evidence of continuing problems with these conditions for many years after service.

The Board has remanded the claims due to incomplete records and further examination is needed.