COPD decisions — 2004

The veteran's claim for nonservice-connected disability pension benefits is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and obtaining relevant medical records.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for inactive pulmonary tuberculosis and service connection for COPD as secondary to his service-connected inactive pulmonary tuberculosis.

The Board found that the veteran's COPD was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has dismissed the veteran's appeals on all issues related to service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and PTSD due to his request for withdrawal. The veteran served in Vietnam and was exposed to combat-related stressors, which led to a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for additional development, including a more recent VA pulmonary examination.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death and recognized an additional period of service. The Board found that there was no evidence linking any post-service disabilities to military service, including malaria and tuberculosis, which precluded presumptive service connection.

The veteran's claims for increased rating, service connection for COPD as secondary to pleurisy, and pes planus are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of medical records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's COPD is the result of tobacco use due to nicotine dependence that likely began during his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining information about the veteran's exposure to asbestos during service and arranging for a medical examination.

The Board finds that the veteran's blunting of the right costophrenic angle warrants a 60 percent disability rating, effective from the date of his claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the appellant's in-service exposure to asbestos and its connection to his COPD.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and further development is needed, including obtaining medical records from Jackson Hospital and a private pulmonologist.

The Board is remanding the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting a VA examination to address the issues on appeal.

The Board found no competent evidence linking the veteran's current COPD to service, including any in-service exposure to radiation. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim of service connection for the cause of her husband's death, as new and material evidence has been received. However, the Board found that there was no causal relationship between any service-connected disability and his death.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and a need for further examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cause of death was not caused or substantially contributed to by any service-connected disability, and denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence linking the veteran's current respiratory disabilities, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and bronchial asthma, to his military service. The claim will be further developed with a VA examination.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to walk without the aid of a wheelchair, and he is entitled to specially adapted housing assistance or a special home adaptation grant.

The Board has granted the appellant's claim of service connection for COPD, finding that it was incurred during military service.