COPD decisions — 2003

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent from May 4, 1994 to October 6, 1996, and in excess of 30 percent from October 7, 1996 for COPD.

The Board found that the veteran's COPD and anemia, which were certified as the immediate and antecedent causes of death, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board also noted that there was no evidence linking any service-connected disability to his cause of death.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for COPD as secondary to service connected tuberculosis, finding that new and material evidence has been presented.

The Board has granted an effective date of July 22, 1996 for the veteran's service connection for COPD due to tobacco use in service.

The Board found no evidence to support the claim that any of the veteran's conditions were related to his service, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of his death.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a right shoulder disability, COPD, or low back disability that is associated with injury, disease, or event of his military service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Board finds that the veteran's currently diagnosed COPD is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected residuals of collapsed left lung with pleural abrasions, and grants the claim.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for COPD, finding no evidence of a nexus between his active service and current COPD. The Board also found that COPD is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected asbestosis.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for COPD due to in-service tobacco use and nicotine dependence, finding that new evidence supports a link between current COPD and service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bronchitis and COPD, finding no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of peptic ulcer disease, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied. The Board also found no evidence to support direct or secondary service connection for COPD and coronary artery disease due to in-service tobacco use.

The Board denied the claim as there is no evidence linking any service-connected disability to the veteran's death from cardiorespiratory arrest due to pneumonia and COPD.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current COPD is attributable to smoke inhalation during service, and therefore grants service connection for COPD.

The veteran's skin condition of the feet and COPD are both found to be related to his active military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and depression, was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service. The respiratory disorder characterized as chronic bronchitis and emphysema is also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and diabetes mellitus due to a lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's COPD, which is secondary to asbestos exposure during his military service, was incurred in service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to the failure of the RO to undertake requested DRO review. The veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, emphysema, and bronchitis secondary to asbestos exposure are being reviewed.

The veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and CAD due to tobacco use in service were denied. The Board found that the veteran did not develop these conditions during or within one year of his service, nor was it determined that smoking caused them.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, to include emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, as a result of asbestos exposure during his active military service.