COPD decisions — 2000

The veteran's lung condition, including bronchitis, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and emphysema, is being remanded for further examination and review of medical records.

The veteran's overpayment of disability pension benefits was waived due to his inadvertent failure to report receipt of Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits, which were effective from March 1997. The Board found that the veteran's misrepresentation did not rise to the level of fraud or bad faith.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a respiratory and cardiovascular disability, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The claim for reopening a bilateral eye disability was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for ASHD and COPD, finding that there was no credible evidence linking these conditions to an incident of service or a service-connected disability.

The Board found no medical evidence linking the veteran's current respiratory disorders to service, including exposure to Agent Orange. The claim was denied as not well-grounded.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for defective vision, COPD, and residuals of pneumonia are not well grounded.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), sleep apnea, and coronary artery disease are not well grounded.

The Board has determined that the appellant is in need of regular aid and attendance due to her disabilities, including COPD, urinary tract infection, and diverticulitis. The decision grants special monthly compensation based on this need.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, including as a result of exposure to Agent Orange, finding that there was no evidence linking the conditions to his active duty.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for cause of death due to lack of evidence linking COPD, a significant condition contributing to his death, to any in-service injury or disease. The Board also found that the veteran was not entitled to Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits as he did not meet the legal requirements.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for asthma, COPD, and emphysema as secondary to Mustard gas exposure due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person was denied because he failed to cooperate with a scheduled VA examination, and his visual acuity did not meet the criteria for blindness.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected pulmonary tuberculosis is inactive and does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that there was no competent medical evidence linking any current disability to military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for a pulmonary condition, finding no evidence of a direct link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board found no competent medical evidence linking the appellant's current COPD to any incident of service, including hospitalizations for pneumonia. Therefore, the claim was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a lung disorder, including as secondary to radiation exposure due to lack of competent medical evidence linking his current conditions to his reported radiation exposure or any incident of service.

The veteran's appeal for a higher evaluation for bronchitis and COPD was dismissed because the veteran died during the pendency of the appeal.

The veteran's service-connected chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with bronchial asthma is currently rated at 30 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on his current disability level.

The Board found no medical evidence linking the veteran's current lung disorder to his period of service, including any chemical exposure during service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.