COPD decisions — 2003

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disorder, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, and residuals of cold exposure to the hands. The veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected myocarditis did not contribute substantially or materially to his cause of death, coronary artery disease. The Board also determined that there was no evidence linking the veteran's service to his coronary artery disease.

The VA determined that the veteran's current respiratory disability did not start during service and is unrelated to any in-service events, including Agent Orange exposure. The Board found no evidence of a relationship between the veteran's current pulmonary condition and his mitral valve prolapse or tonsillectomy.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for death benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151, finding that the veteran's death was not due to VA-administered medication in June 1989.

The Board found that the veteran's COPD/pulmonary emphysema was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current COPD is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding no evidence linking his current lung condition to his active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's nicotine dependence and COPD/cardiovascular disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service, and are not due to a service-connected disability. Therefore, his claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for the veteran's left knee disability, found service connection for COPD not well grounded, and denied service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine.

The Board has determined that the veteran's nicotine dependence, which began in service and continued throughout his life, caused or contributed to his death from pneumonia due to COPD.

The veteran's claimed pulmonary disorders, including bronchitis, hyperventilation, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and emphysema, were not shown to have had their onset during active service or be related to any in-service event. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The veteran has withdrawn their appeal, and the Board dismissed it due to this withdrawal.

The veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issue of service connection for respiratory disorder, to include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (claimed as chronic cough and short-windedness).

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for the cause of death due to promyelocytic leukemia, but denied the claim as there is no evidence linking the disease to military service or a service-connected condition.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has determined that the cause of the veteran's death is not related to his period of service and therefore denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is at least as likely as not a result of his reported asbestos exposure during military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and nicotine dependence, finding that they were not incurred or aggravated by service due to his smoking habits. The law prohibits service connection based on tobacco use during active duty.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, Right Shoulder Disability, and Left Knee Disability. The veteran's COPD is not considered to have been incurred in or aggravated by military service. His Right Shoulder Disability and Left Knee Disability are also not considered to be related to his military service.