Chronic bronchitis — all decisions

The Board has granted service connection for asbestosis and a calcified lung granuloma, but denied service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and bronchitis due to the veteran's smoking history.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed conditions, including bronchitis, otitis media, left ankle disorder, low back disorder, and gall bladder removal, were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The veteran's right ankle disability was also denied.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes cannot be established without a current VA examination, but he failed to appear for scheduled examinations. The RO recognized additional evidence received after the December 1998 denial, including diagnoses of neck condition, bilateral patellofemoral syndrome, and dyspnea on exertion.

The veteran's claimed conditions, including bronchitis, gastroenteritis, arthritis of the hands, a chronic back disorder, a chronic neck disorder, and hearing loss and/or tinnitus, are not shown to be related to military service. The RO has denied all claims for service connection.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic bronchitis with early COPD, Dupuytren's contractures of both hands, and tinnitus, have rendered him unemployable.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and evaluation of the veteran's conditions due to a lack of recent medical examination. The RO is instructed to conduct further development as outlined in the decision.

The Board found that the veteran does not have residuals of exposure to anhydrous ammonia, labyrinthitis, or bronchitis, sinusitis, asthma, and allergic rhinitis related to his active duty service. The headaches are rated at 50%.

The Board found that the veteran's respiratory disability, primarily diagnosed as chronic bronchitis and COPD, was clinically established in 1982. There is no competent evidence to support a link between his service and these conditions.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis and residuals of a back injury, finding that there is no evidence to support these conditions as being incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 30 percent for bronchitis and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The veteran's bronchitis is currently rated as 30 percent disabling, with mild to moderate impairment.

The Board found that the veteran's bronchitis and pneumonia had improved, with normal chest X-rays and pulmonary function tests. The reduction from a 60% to a noncompensable rating was proper based on improvement in her condition.

The VA determined that the veteran's chronic bronchitis with emphysema does not warrant an evaluation in excess of the current 10 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed disabilities of hypertension, peptic ulcer disease, chronic bronchitis, and hemorrhoids were not incurred or aggravated during active military service. These conditions may not be presumed to be causally related to such service.

The Board found no current evidence of degenerative arthritis, compression neuropathy, or asthma and bronchitis in service. The veteran's claims for these conditions were denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking them to his military service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for bronchitis due to new and material evidence submitted since the May 1981 rating decision. The veteran is shown by objective medical evidence to have a current disability with respect to chronic bronchitis incurred during his active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for migraine headaches and bronchitis, finding that his service-connected conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for conjunctivitis, a left knee disorder, swollen joints, bronchitis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus as there is no competent evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis and arthritis, finding no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's asthma with chronic bronchitis, pulmonary hypertension, and right-sided heart failure have been found to warrant a 100% disability rating due to the presence of right ventricular hypertrophy related to his service-connected respiratory disabilities.

The Board denied reimbursement or payment for unauthorized medical expenses due to the lack of evidence showing that the services were related to a service-connected disability and because VA facilities were available.