Chronic bronchitis Board decisions

The veteran's claim for payment of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Tahlequah City Hospital on February 29, 2004 is denied as he did not meet the criteria for reimbursement under VA regulations.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for VA financial assistance in purchasing an automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his military service and have denied each of the issues on appeal.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for respiratory infections, including bronchitis and an effective date prior to July 26, 2001, for the grant of service connection for anxiety disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder and thrombophlebitis of the left anterior thoracic vein. The initial ratings assigned for pseudofolliculitis barbae with alopecia (10%) and a left abdominal scar from a hernia repair (0%) were also denied.

The Board found that the veteran's current bronchitis is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board finds that the veteran did not have a service-connected disability rated as totally disabling for at least 10 years prior to his death, and thus does not meet the legal requirements for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The veteran requested the withdrawal of all pending issues before the Board due to his request for a withdrawal.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for allergic rhinitis, effective from the date of the April 2005 VA examination. Service connection for bronchitis and asthma is also granted.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD and asthmatic bronchitis contributed to his death from congestive heart failure (CHF). The Board finds that the medical evidence supports this conclusion, thus granting the claim for service connection for cause of death.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have any service-connected disabilities, and therefore, her claims for service connection for bronchitis and fibroid tumors are denied. The claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is also denied as there are no service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's low back disorder is found to be service-connected, and he is granted a compensable rating for his left orchiectomy. The residuals of toxic gas exposure are not service-connected.

The Board denied the reopening of the claim for service connection for cause of death due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current diagnoses of chronic bronchitis or chronic sinusitis, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

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.