COPD decisions — 2005

The veteran died of terminal coal miner's pneumoconiosis (CMP) over years, due to coal dust inhalation. Other significant conditions contributing to his death included terminal emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), ischemic heart disease with dysrhythmia, and severe malnutrition. The Board found no service connection for any disability during the veteran's lifetime or within a presumptive period, nor did he meet the 10-year requirement for DIC benefits due to his pre-existing disabilities. Therefore, the claim of entitlement to death pension benefits was denied as well.

The veteran's PTSD has been rated at 100 percent effective April 25, 2003. The RO must issue a statement of the case addressing his claims for service connection for hypertension, COPD, asbestosis, and peptic ulcer disease.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of her husband's death, finding that COPD and emphysema were not related to his military service or any service-connected disability.

The veteran seeks service connection for a lung condition including COPD and emphysema. The VA has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The VA determined that the veteran's COPD is not related to his service due to asbestos exposure, and instead was likely caused by tobacco use.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of December 18, 2002 for a 100 percent disability evaluation for his service-connected COPD.

The Board determined that the appellant was not entitled to any of the proceeds of the veteran's NSLI policy, and that the appellee was entitled to the full amount of the proceeds.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and emphysema are not due to asbestos exposure in service, nor is there any evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service. The Board also found no probative evidence linking the veteran's back disability to service.

The veteran's cause of death was not service-connected, and the appellant did not meet the basic eligibility requirements for nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed spinal cord injury, Brown-Squard syndrome, and brain stem injury did not have its onset during service or are otherwise unrelated to any disease, injury, or event in service. The other conditions were also found to be unrelated to service.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, finding that it was aggravated by the veteran's service-connected bronchitis. Service connection for gastrointestinal disability is denied.

The veteran died due to COPD and emphysema, both of which were the result of tobacco abuse. The Board found no service-connected disability that caused or contributed to his death.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence linking his fatal conditions to in-service tobacco use or service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disability and a cardiovascular disability, both on a secondary basis to his service-connected duodenal ulcer.,A rating of 20% for the veteran's duodenal ulcer was granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's nicotine dependence and COPD are related to his military service, granting these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was caused by his service-connected COPD, which was aggravated by his pre-existing nicotine addiction exacerbated during World War II.

The Board found that the veteran's chronic lung condition, including nicotine dependence or tobacco use, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The dental disability claim and the tonsillectomy evaluation were also denied.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a lung disorder, to include bronchitis, emphysema, and COPD. The issue of service connection for asbestosis is addressed on a de novo basis.

The Board has determined that COPD was not manifested in service and is not shown to be related to the veteran's service-connected PTB. Therefore, service connection for COPD is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's upper respiratory infection, including pneumothorax and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, had its onset during service and is therefore granted service connection.