Chronic bronchitis — all decisions

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for residuals of pneumonia. The case is remanded to determine if there are current residuals related to his in-service pneumonia and whether his chronic bronchitis is also related to his in-service diagnosis.

The Board found no evidence of mustard gas exposure during service and concluded that the veteran's current respiratory disability is not due to any event or incident of his period of active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected conditions do not warrant a higher disability rating, and thus the appeal is denied.

The veteran's pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) with bronchitis is currently rated at 30 percent, the maximum rating available for inactive PTB. The VA examiner found no evidence of active bronchitis affecting respiratory function and noted that the veteran could walk 500 feet without breathing difficulty.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic bronchitis, lung disability other than bronchitis (presumably due to asbestos exposure), left elbow sprain, and residuals of right and left shoulder sprains. The Board found that these conditions were not related to his military service or any incident therein.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed respiratory disorders and back disorder did not manifest during service or are otherwise related to military service, including as due to herbicide exposure. As a result, the claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current conditions, including pulmonary tuberculosis and its residuals, are related to his service. The claim is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for chronic bronchitis, finding that his FEV-1 and FEV-1/FVC findings were within normal limits and did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's respiratory conditions (asthma and bronchitis) or shaking of his right hand to service. The claims for these conditions were therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current diagnoses for chronic right shoulder, eye, sinus, or bronchitis disorders. The acquired psychiatric disorder to include depression claim is denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between service and her current condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, otitis media, and bronchitis. The veteran did not have these conditions during service or within one year thereafter, and there is no evidence of a causal relationship between any current condition and service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disorder and bronchitis were not incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has denied service connection for arthritis and bursitis of the joints, as well as bronchitis due to mustard gas exposure. The other issues on appeal are pending.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the veteran's claim of service connection for hepatitis C or a respiratory disorder, including chronic bronchitis and/or asthma. The examiner concluded that the most likely exposure was from blood, but it is difficult to attribute her hepatitis C to exposure during her military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evidentiary and procedural development, including obtaining VA treatment records from his service period and subsequent years.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current neck, thoracic spine, lumbosacral spine, right knee, right shoulder, right hip, right calf, or right foot disability. The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not interfere with normal employment.

The veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claims. The veteran currently has a service-connected duodenal ulcer, hiatal hernia, and gastroenteritis that causes his diarrhea.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied as new and material evidence was not submitted. The skin rash is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure, but no current diagnosis of the claimed condition exists. Service connection for bronchitis or other respiratory disorder and arthritis of the back are also denied.

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.