COPD decisions — 2004

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for COPD, finding that there was no competent evidence linking his current respiratory disability to service or any incident therein.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death as secondary to nicotine dependence and in-service tobacco use, finding that the appellant had not submitted new and material evidence. The issue is remanded due to changes in law.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess his service-connected COPD and obtain PFT results. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim.

The Board determined that the veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected condition, and denied the claim for cause of death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's COPD is service-connected, as it was directly related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for the cause of his death, finding that neither COPD nor ischemic heart disease was related to service and thus not warranting service connection.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a cardiac disorder, finding new and material evidence to reopen his previously denied claims. The heart disorder is found to be secondary to his service-connected pulmonary tuberculosis.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected COPD does not prevent him from securing or following any substantially gainful occupation.

The veteran's claim for service connection due to exposure to ionizing radiation is being remanded for additional development of his medical records and a VA examination.

The VA determined that the veteran's COPD is not related to his asbestos exposure in service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic bronchitis secondary to the veteran's service-connected sinusitis. The other issues are pending and will be addressed in a separate decision.

The VA has determined that the veteran's COPD or pulmonary asbestosis is not related to service or his service-connected residuals of pleurisy and pneumonia.

The veteran's death during a VA hospitalization was not caused by carelessness, negligence, or similar fault on the part of the VA. The cause of death was intractable pulmonary edema due to end-stage congestive heart failure.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that there was no evidence linking his condition to his military service or herbicide exposure.

The Board found that the veteran's COPD is due to nicotine dependence that began during his military service and aggravated by tobacco use. The VHA expert opinion supported this conclusion.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute to his death, and there is no evidence of a relationship between any service-connected condition and the cause of death.

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

The veteran's service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder with depression contributed to his cause of death, which was due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, low back condition, head injury residuals, COPD, and injuries to neck, feet, and legs. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.