Chronic bronchitis — all decisions

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 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 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 allergic rhinitis was incurred in active service and is granted service connection.

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 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 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 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.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected lung condition and determined that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen a claim for a 100 percent rating for the period from October 31, 1956, to March 14, 1967.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and he meets the criteria for a total rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted an increased rating of 100 percent for the veteran's service-connected asthmatic bronchitis, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic respiratory/pulmonary disorder, including asthma and COPD, was incurred in service. The condition is presumed to have developed due to a pre-existing post-tubercular calcification or other reflection of tuberculosis exposure during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for asthma and emphysema, as they were not shown to be related to his active service or mustard gas exposure.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for bronchitis, and service connection for loss of creative ability. The RO had previously granted service connection for PTSD with a 10 percent evaluation effective March 23, 1998.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and gastroesophageal reflux disease, both of which were incurred during the veteran's active duty service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for cardiovascular disease with mitral valve prolapse, an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for GERD, a higher evaluation for dysthymic disorder, and an increased evaluation for chronic bronchitis.

The veteran's case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and clarifying his wishes regarding representation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for chronic bronchitis and PTSD, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under applicable VA rating criteria.

The veteran's service connection for hemorrhoids and bronchitis was granted. The initial evaluations for degenerative disc disease, chronic sinusitis with allergic rhinitis, and residuals of a fracture of the right ring finger with traumatic arthritis (major) were increased to 40 percent, 30 percent, and noncompensable respectively.

The Board has dismissed the veteran's appeal due to his failure to respond to requests for additional evidence within one year of being notified, and thus deemed the claims abandoned.