Chronic bronchitis Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for COPD with a history of asthmatic bronchitis and assigned an initial 60 percent evaluation, effective April 28, 2001. The award of TDIU was also granted as of this date.

The veteran's claim for a certificate of eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant is denied because he does not meet the criteria due to his service-connected disabilities and non-service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current diagnoses of chronic sinusitis, residuals of viral influenza, or chronic pharyngitis. The claim for a pulmonary disorder (to include emphysema, COPD, and bronchitis) is denied as there is no evidence of such conditions during service and the post-service symptoms are too remote in time to support a finding of in-service onset.

The veteran's appeal for increased ratings for bronchitis and scars of the right hand and forearm has been withdrawn.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the veteran's exposure to loud noise during active service is sufficient to establish a current disability. The other conditions were either not diagnosed or denied due to lack of evidence.

The veteran's service-connected splenectomy is currently rated at 20 percent, and her appendectomy does not warrant a compensable evaluation. The Board found no evidence of systemic infections or other complications related to the splenectomy that would justify an increased rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C virus is related to his military service and granted service connection. However, there is no evidence linking the current chronic bronchitis to his military service.

The VA has determined that the veteran's emphysema with bronchitis does not warrant a rating higher than 30 percent, as his lung function tests do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bronchitis, irritable bowel syndrome, restless leg syndrome, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, coronary artery disease, arthritis of the knees, hips, shoulders, elbows, and hands. The decision also denies service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for additional testing.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected bronchitis, citing current manifestations that are currently adequately compensated under the regular schedular standards.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lower right posterior chest disability with chronic respiratory infections and cervical spine disability, including headaches and arm numbness, are service-connected.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, including as due to an undiagnosed illness, finding that his current respiratory problems are not related to his active service or any incident therein.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for respiratory disability (claimed as tuberculosis) and PTSD. The VA found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran did not have a current diagnosis of bronchitis or herpes simplex, and that any such conditions were not incurred in service. The decision also noted that there was no evidence linking her herpes simplex to her active nasal disease.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current diagnosed chronic bronchitis is not a residual of any symptomatology noted in his service medical records, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found no evidence of chronic bronchitis being incurred during service and denied the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for breathing problems, including tracheobronchitis and allergic rhinitis, as they are not related to herbicide exposure or any disease or injury during service.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection for bronchitis and coronary artery disease, both claimed as secondary to Agent Orange exposure and PTSD respectively.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a neurological disorder of both legs and feet was granted. The claims for arthritis of both feet, ankles, knees, and legs and chronic bronchitis were denied.