Chronic bronchitis decisions — 2003

The Board has determined that the veteran does not currently suffer from bilateral hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for bronchitis and COPD, claiming these conditions as due to exposure to herbicides and printing press chemicals. New evidence submitted by the veteran indicates he was exposed to toxic chemicals while operating a printing press in Vietnam. The Board will proceed with further development to determine the etiology of any current respiratory disorder.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and issuing a Statement of the Case on accrued benefits claims.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for asthmatic bronchitis. The veteran presented a new theory of service connection based on his history of smoking during service, but this theory is precluded by law due to the prohibition against service connection for disabilities resulting from tobacco use in military service.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's residuals of empyema with asthmatic bronchitis, finding that his current condition is related to a pre-existing lung defect that was aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims of increased evaluation for bronchitis and reopening of his claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder secondary to bronchitis due to new evidence received since the last rating decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to notification requirements and the need for additional evidence.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's asbestosis with bronchitis, finding that his symptoms did not warrant a higher evaluation based on the current FVC and DLCO results.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending requests for additional evidence. The case is now being remanded for the requested development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed respiratory, gastrointestinal, arthritis, heart disorder, and diabetes mellitus conditions are not service-connected. The veteran's claim for compensation benefits pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for liver disease is also denied.

The Board found that the veteran does not have interstitial lung disease as a result of exposure to asbestos during active service and his chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and bronchiectasis were not present during service or for many years thereafter and there is no causal link between these conditions and service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic pulmonary disorder, including bronchitis and pulmonary fibrosis, is service-connected. Additionally, the need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to his condition has been established, allowing him to receive special monthly pension.

The Board has ordered further development in the veteran's case due to incomplete service medical records and requests for additional evidence. The appeal is currently remanded for these purposes.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for bronchitis and emphysema, as well as service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome, are not supported by the evidence of record. The preponderance of the evidence does not support an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for his bronchitis and emphysema, nor is there a causal link between his current carpal tunnel syndrome and service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's allergic rhinitis was incurred in active service and is granted service connection.

The Board has ordered further development in the veteran's case due to pending issues and requested evidence. The appeal is currently remanded for additional development, including obtaining clinical records from service and arranging for medical examinations.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues and the court's decision invalidating certain regulations. The case is now being remanded for additional evidence collection and a VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for the cause of his death due to a combination of chronic pulmonary tuberculosis and asthmatic bronchitis, which were not related to active military service.,The appeal for basic eligibility to nonservice-connected death pension benefits was also denied as the appellant did not meet the required criteria.

The veteran's claims of service connection for COPD with emphysema and bronchitis, and coronary artery disease due to tobacco use have been denied as new and material evidence has not been submitted. The statute prohibits service connection for disabilities resulting from the use of tobacco products during military service.