Chronic bronchitis — all decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, finding that none were incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of his asthmatic bronchitis has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The veteran's chronic bronchitis is rated at 60 percent, the highest possible rating under VA guidelines for this condition.

The veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected bronchitis with pulmonary emphysema and history of tuberculosis, which currently results in a 30 percent disability. The RO has requested additional medical records to properly assess the severity of his condition.

The veteran's respiratory disorder, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and histoplasmosis, was evaluated as 30 percent disabling from April 7, 1992 to February 25, 2000.

The veteran was granted special monthly pension benefits at the housebound rate for the period from March 1, 1998 through July 21, 1999 due to having hypertension and coronary artery disease rated as 100 percent disabling.

The veteran's skin rash and chronic cough are not considered to be manifestations of an undiagnosed illness, as they have been diagnosed clinically. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a back condition. Service connection is denied for skin rashes, respiratory problems, and facial hair loss as manifestations of an undiagnosed illness.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected bronchitis does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent, based on his pulmonary function test results.

The veteran's service-connected asbestosis with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and chronic bronchitis does not meet the criteria for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to his disability.

The Board denied service connection for bronchitis and asthma, finding that the evidence did not establish a chronic respiratory disorder due to an undiagnosed illness or any other basis.

The veteran's claim for service connection for asthma, COPD, bronchitis, and emphysema as due to tobacco use or nicotine dependence in service is denied because the law prohibits such claims after June 9, 1998.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for major depressive disorder and multiple physical disorders, including ear infections, ear aches and pains, sinus infections, drainage problems, allergies, bloody nose, colds, flu, bronchitis, and other disorders of the head, ears, nose, throat, bronchial tubes, and lungs as secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The claims are being remanded for additional development.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional medical examinations and information regarding employment status. The appellant's disabilities, including hypertension and hyperlipidemia, have not been fully evaluated in the context of pension purposes.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchitis, a skin condition, emphysema, and asthma claimed as secondary to mustard gas exposure. However, there is no evidence of mustard gas exposure during active duty, and the preponderance of the evidence does not link these conditions to active duty.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for his knee and foot conditions, as well as rhinosinusitis, were denied. Service connection was established for these conditions, but the RO found that they did not warrant increased evaluations.

The Board found that the veteran's chronic respiratory disorder, including emphysema and bronchitis, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The claim for hypertension is also denied.

The Board denied service connection for mitral valve prolapse and denied initial ratings greater than 10 percent for lumbosacral disability including a left ileum sclerotic degree, sleep apnea, and chronic bronchitis. The veteran's claims were not well grounded for the left shoulder disorder, reflux esophagitis, asthma, and photophobia.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected chronic bronchitis with bronchiectasis and bilateral varicose veins, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings. The decision also noted that the veteran's leg pain was primarily associated with non-service connected peripheral vascular disease.

The veteran's service-connected residuals of pneumonia and bronchitis are currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that these conditions do not warrant a higher rating based on current medical evidence.