COPD decisions — 2003

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, finding that neither condition was incurred or aggravated during his periods of active duty for training.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a shoulder disorder, inguinal hernia surgery, lung disorder, chest pain, macular degeneration, and residuals of scarlet fever. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran is entitled to service connection for shortness of breath, currently diagnosed as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The Board found that the veteran's coronary artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and hypertension were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may they be presumed due to tobacco use and/or nicotine dependence acquired in service.

The VA medical specialist concluded that the veteran's death was not caused by or contributed to by VA treatment, and there were no medical opinions contradicting this conclusion.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim of service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to new evidence provided by Dr. Mario S. Pablo, which suggests an etiological link between the cause of the veteran's death and service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, heart disorder, diabetes mellitus, arthritis of the hands, benign prostatic hypertrophy, left ankle fusion, anemia, ulcer disease, and irritable bowel syndrome. The appeals were based on direct evidence rather than presumptions or secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's COPD with emphysema is due to nicotine dependence related to cigarette smoking during his active service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board finds that the veteran's chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is likely related to his in-service asbestos exposure, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic respiratory disorder in service and concluded that the veteran's current diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is not related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death and eligibility for dependents' educational assistance under Chapter 35 due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to military service.

The Board denied service connection for dyshydrotic eczema, dermatophytosis, COPD, and skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma) as these conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for sinus bradycardia, bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board granted an effective date of November 7, 2001 for DIC benefits based on a liberalizing VA issue related to smoking during service.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which began many years after service and was not caused by any incident of service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for COPD, emphysema, and bronchitis due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board found that the veteran's current COPD is at least as likely as not due to asbestos exposure in service, and granted his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are reasonably associable with nicotine addiction acquired during active military service.

The VA denied a compensable evaluation for COPD, finding that the veteran's FEV-1 and FEV-1/FVC percentages improved over time but did not meet the criteria for any higher rating under Diagnostic Code 6604.

The Board denied the claim of entitlement to service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence linking the cause of death (end stage COPD) to either service or a service-connected disability.