COPD decisions — 2006

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and thus denied both the claim for service connection for the cause of death and the DIC benefits pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits was denied as he does not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability due to his lung condition, which is not considered totally disabling.

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence to support the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and bilateral hearing loss. The preponderance of the evidence does not establish a relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the veteran's failure to appear for a scheduled hearing, and it will be rescheduled at the next available opportunity.

The VA denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for bronchiectasis with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, as the evidence did not show incapacitating episodes or near constant findings of cough with purulent sputum.

The Board denied the claim of entitlement to service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that COPD did not have a nexus to his period of active service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and emphysema, as well as cardiovascular disease (angina), were denied. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute to his death, as evidenced by the lack of any medical evidence linking these conditions to his death.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD and denied pes planus, but the decision is mixed as it grants an increased rating for residuals of pleurisy.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease that would warrant a presumption of service connection. The veteran was not shown to have PTSD as a result of an in-service stressor.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his military service or exposure to ionizing radiation. As a result, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the appellant's lung disability and COPD were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there is no competent evidence to support a finding of such. The VA examiner indicated that the current lung disability could not be related to his short period of active duty without resorting to speculation.

The veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability. The appellant has also failed to meet the criteria for accrued benefits.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected lung disability and also denied a TDIU based on his other nonservice-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to COPD/respiratory failure, and also granted accrued benefits for COPD.

The veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, other pulmonary disabilities (including tuberculosis and asbestosis), bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were all denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of a nexus between the current conditions and service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not currently have COPD and therefore, service connection for COPD is denied.

The veteran's claims for increased PTSD ratings, service connection for malignant melanoma, testicular enlargement (hydrocele), and respiratory disorder secondary to Agent Orange exposure have been denied.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board found no evidence of asbestos exposure during service and denied the claim for service connection for asbestos lung disease as it is not related to the veteran's service or any incident therein.