Chronic bronchitis — all decisions

The veteran's current respiratory pathology, including bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is unrelated to service. The Board denies the claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for chronic bronchitis is being remanded due to the need for further testing and development of his employment status.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete notification and the need for additional evidence regarding unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private facility on April 3, 2005. Other service connection claims are referred to the RO.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for multiple sclerosis, residuals of right knee injury, bronchitis (claimed as a residual of tobacco use), postoperative bilateral inguinal hernias, and lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, chronic bronchitis, and a low back disorder. The claim for service connection of a left knee disorder secondary to the service-connected residuals of left tibia and fibula fracture is pending.

The VA determined that the veteran's current COPD is not related to service, including exposure to asbestos or other potential causes. The Board concluded that the COPD is more likely due to the veteran's long-term cigarette smoking.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development, including obtaining missing medical records and determining whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for chronic bronchitis.

The veteran's irritable bowel syndrome, a qualifying chronic disability due to undiagnosed illness during service in the Persian Gulf War, is granted as service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected bronchitis, finding that the evidence did not show more than moderate impairment under both sets of criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for asthma, but denied service connection for PTSD and COPD related to smoking. The veteran's current respiratory issues are attributed to his military service for asthma, while the majority of his COPD is due to long-term smoking.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic left ankle sprain and residuals of pneumonia, including claimed chronic bronchitis. The effective date for the grants of service connection is set at May 24, 1999.

The VA has denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected bronchial asthma, emphysema, and bronchitis as his disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The veteran's claims for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, residuals of bronchitis, and acid reflux disease were denied as there is no diagnosed condition related to his military service or the Persian Gulf War.

The Board denied service connection for chronic bronchitis and bilateral knee disability, finding no current disabilities that are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination of the veteran's service connection claims.

The veteran's service-connected chronic bronchitis and left ankle sprain with traumatic arthritis are currently rated at their maximum levels, and the Board finds no basis to grant higher ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for allergic rhinitis with a 10 percent rating effective May 1, 2005. The veteran's claims for asthma and bronchitis were denied as not related to his current condition.

The Board determined that the veteran knowingly submitted false and fraudulent evidence in support of his claim for VA benefits, leading to a forfeiture of his rights under VA laws.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, emphysema (to include bronchitis), and back disorder as well as his attempts to reopen claims of entitlement to service connection for varicose veins. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received in order to reopen these claims.

The Board found that the veteran's bronchial asthma did not originate in service or until many years after his discharge, and it is not otherwise related to his period of service or any event therein.