Chronic bronchitis Board decisions

The veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder (COPD and Bronchitis) has been reopened, with the Board finding that new and material evidence supports reopening of this claim. The Board also found that his current respiratory disorder is related to his active duty service.,Service connection was denied for conjunctivitis, right eye, as there is no clear evidence linking this condition to his military service.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his bronchitis with obstructive and restrictive components, and a history of asbestos exposure was denied. The current evaluation is 60 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a hearing loss disability for VA purposes and her tinnitus is not service-connected. The other conditions listed in the issues section are either not supported by evidence or were resolved prior to separation from service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected respiratory disability was denied. The Board also found that the veteran does not have a separate stomach disability, including gastroenteritis and irritable bowel syndrome, which is not related to her service-connected GERD.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current pulmonary disorders are not related to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence, except for the claim related to an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD). The other issues were not addressed as they are part of a larger appeal.

The Board denied service connection for a right elbow condition, bronchitis, and heart condition. Service connection was granted for bronchitis. Hemorrhoids were not diagnosed or related to service.

The Board found that the veteran's current bronchitis is not related to his military service, and denied his claim for service connection. The right and left knee disorders were also not linked to service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a respiratory disorder characterized as breathing trouble, diagnosed as asthma and bronchitis with COPD. The evidence now submitted supports this finding.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for pulmonary tuberculosis, malaria, bronchitis, and pulmonary emphysema due to lack of new and material evidence for his claim of tuberculosis and insufficient medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected chronic bronchitis was granted, with a 10 percent evaluation effective November 29, 2004. The issue of service connection for PTSD remains unresolved.

The veteran's death is being reviewed for possible service connection, but the appeal is currently on hold due to outstanding medical records and a need for a medical opinion. The appellant also seeks DEA benefits based on her husband's death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current respiratory disorders, including asthma and bronchitis, were not incurred in or aggravated during active service. The evidence does not support a finding of a link between her current conditions and military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, an immunodeficiency syndrome with chronic upper respiratory infections, sinusitis and bronchitis, peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, post-traumatic stress disorder, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The reasons were that there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and the veteran's service or radiation exposure.

The veteran's claims for higher disability ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine and COPD conditions were denied. The RO found that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of these disabilities.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchitis, a skin disorder, emphysema, and asthma, all claimed as secondary to mustard gas exposure. However, these claims are being remanded due to the need to obtain private medical records from Dr. B and ensure compliance with guidance on handling mustard gas and Lewisite exposures.

The Board finds that the veteran's chronic bronchitis, asthma, and COPD are service-connected as they developed during his military service due to environmental exposures and in-service treatment.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including headaches and residuals of a subarachnoid hemorrhage, were denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bronchitis was not incurred in service and is not related to any disease or injury sustained during his active duty. The claim for service connection for bronchitis is denied.

The Board found that the veteran's chronic bronchitis was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and denied his claim for service connection.