COPD decisions — 2004

The Board has determined that the veteran's cause of death, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), was caused by his service-connected exposure to chemicals in the course of his duties as a waste management specialist. The Board found sufficient evidence linking the veteran's COPD to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and need for further examination.

The Board found that the veteran does not have COPD related to service or his service-connected tuberculosis, and thus denied his claim for secondary service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for skin rash, pes planus (flat feet), compression fracture of thoracic spine, and COPD. The evidence did not establish a direct relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for COPD and hypertension, finding no persuasive medical nexus evidence indicating these conditions were incurred or aggravated during his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disorder, to include COPD, and for a disability manifested by dizziness.,There is no evidence of any respiratory disorder or dizziness during active service. The veteran's current conditions are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a skin rash, and inflamed joints to include knees, hands, and feet due to herbicide exposure. The conditions are presumed to be related to such exposure.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability and denied all claims.

The veteran's hypertension and COPD have been granted service connection, but the VA has determined that neither condition warrants a compensable disability evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, COPD, and diabetes mellitus to the RO for further consideration.

The VA medical opinion determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities did not contribute to his death, and thus denied the claim for service connection for cause of death.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, concluding that it was not incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cause of death, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), was incurred during his military service and contributed to his death. As a result, the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death is granted.

The Board has granted the application to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for a back disorder. The remaining claims, including those related to immune system damage, myositis, psychiatric disorders, COPD and asthma, actinic keratosis, right knee disorder, hiatal hernia, and gastroesophageal reflux disease, are remanded for further development.

The VA determined that the veteran's current respiratory problems are not related to his active military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's multiple disabilities, including COPD rated at 100%, do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to unemployability caused by service-connected disabilities prior to January 22, 2003.

The veteran's claimed conditions were not found to be related to his military service, including exposure to herbicide agents. The Board determined that the disorders listed on the title page did not result from disease or injury in service.

The veteran's cause of death was listed as COPD. The appellant contends that the COPD began in service or developed due to exposure to various substances during service, including smoke inhalation and Agent Orange. However, the records from relevant healthcare providers are missing, and the RO is instructed to obtain these records for a thorough review.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a personal hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.