COPD decisions — 2001

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, finding no evidence linking it to service. The DIC and accrued benefits claims were also denied.

The VA denied reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses incurred by the veteran due to a medical emergency at a private hospital. The veteran was hospitalized for pneumonia and COPD, but his service-connected disabilities did not include these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of exposure information, particularly regarding mustard gas exposure. The veteran's claim for service connection for COPD is being returned to the RO for further action.

The veteran's claim for payment of, or reimbursement for, unauthorized private medical services provided from December 26, 1998 through December 31, 1998 is denied as he did not have any adjudicated service-connected disabilities at the time of treatment.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of her husband's death and payment of Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318, finding that there was no legal basis to grant either claim due to a change in law regarding tobacco-related disabilities.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and a back disorder, but new evidence does not establish that these conditions are related to service. The case is remanded for further development of medical records.

The Board has determined that the veteran is unemployable due to multiple disabilities, including chronic lumbar syndrome and degenerative joint disease. The evidence shows he suffers from a combination of conditions that prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.