COPD decisions — 2006

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, skin cancer as a result of herbicide exposure, and COPD. The evidence did not support these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's in-service tobacco use contributed to his fatal COPD, which was a result of genetic factors and years of heavy smoking. The Board finds that this evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the veteran's in-service tobacco use materially contributed to his death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a head trauma, left elbow injury, and carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist must be denied as there is no evidence to support these conditions were incurred or aggravated during his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus for the purpose of accrued benefits. Service connection for COPD is also granted.

The veteran's claim for specially adapted housing was denied as he does not have a service-connected disability that precludes locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes or a wheelchair.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disorder, diabetes, and COPD as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and coronary artery disease with hypertension and angina, finding no evidence of such conditions in service or within one year post-service. The Board also found that secondary service connection is not warranted.

The Board has restored the veteran's 60 percent rating for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and denied his claim for a disability rating in excess of 60 percent.

The veteran's application for an increased rating for folliculitis, groin is denied.,Service connection for sleep apnea and COPD are not addressed in the decision summary provided.

The veteran's claims of service connection for nicotine dependence, a heart disorder secondary to nicotine dependence, and COPD as secondary to nicotine dependence are denied due to lack of evidence showing the conditions were incurred or aggravated during active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's COPD is not related to his service, including any asbestos exposure during service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for COPD.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 because his pulmonary disorder is not causally related to a permanent pacemaker implantation procedure in May 1998, and did not result from carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or similar incidence of fault on the part of VA.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was caused by his service-connected coronary artery disease, which developed due to nicotine dependence he acquired during service. As a result, the cause of the veteran's death is now considered service connected.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed to his death from end stage cirrhosis of the liver and COPD. Therefore, service connection for cause of death is granted.

The Board has determined that the cause of the veteran's death is not related to his military service or any service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The veteran's bronchial asthma is found to be aggravated by his service-connected COPD with pulmonary tuberculosis, and he is granted service connection for this condition. His COPD rating remains at 60 percent effective from the date of claim.

The veteran seeks service connection for COPD due to asbestos exposure and PTSD. The Board has determined that further development is needed, including obtaining more information about the stressors claimed for PTSD and determining if there is evidence of asbestos exposure during service.

The Board found that the veteran's cause of death was due to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which were not service-connected. The VA did not find a direct link between any condition in service and the veteran's fatal lung diseases.

The veteran's claims for service connection for pyorrhea and COPD secondary to Mustard Gas exposure, as well as dental trauma, were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of full-body exposure to Mustard Gas during active duty, and the veteran did not have these conditions related to his military service.