COPD decisions — 2005

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder and bladder cancer, both linked to inservice asbestos exposure. The evidence did not establish a direct link between the conditions and service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and post-traumatic stress disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The veteran's claims for increased hearing loss and service connection for apical lung scarring or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher disability rating for hearing loss, and there was insufficient medical evidence to establish service connection for the claimed conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute to his death, and thus denied his claim for service connection for the cause of his death.

The VA determined that the veteran's COPD, emphysema, bronchitis and asthma are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety, is reasonably attributable to service. The evidence supports a finding of in-service stressors leading to current psychiatric problems.

The Board found that the veteran's diabetes mellitus, Type 2 and COPD were not incurred or aggravated by active service. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA physician regarding the etiology of the veteran's COPD and whether it is at least as likely as not that the condition began during service or is partially attributable to exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Board has ordered a remand to determine if the veteran's current COPD is related to his active duty service or secondary to his service-connected pulmonary tuberculosis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's COPD, which may be related to his military service as an arc welder, contributed substantially and materially to his death. Therefore, service connection for the cause of the veteran's death is granted.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and there is no evidence of exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides during his military service. The causes of the veteran's death (pneumonia, left upper lobe wedge resection, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung cancer) were not related to his period of active military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death from lung cancer was secondary to his service-connected COPD, and thus service connection for the cause of the veteran's death is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and tooth deterioration, finding that there was no evidence to support these conditions were caused or aggravated by his military service.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence of exposure to Agent Orange or other conditions related to military service.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death and found that burial benefits were not awarded due to the veteran's pending claim for pension which was later determined to be inapplicable at the time of his death.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to COPD and pulmonary tuberculosis, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The VA has determined that the veteran's bronchial asthma with psychophysiological pulmonary reaction is currently asymptomatic and does not warrant a higher disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the veteran's laryngeal cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for basal cell carcinoma, COPD, liver disease, and sinus disability, all of which were characterized as resulting from exposure to Agent Orange. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and the veteran's military service.

The VA determined that the veteran's claimed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not related to a service-connected condition.