COPD decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that the veteran's nicotine dependence and COPD are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of in-service occurrence or aggravation. The skin disorder claim was also denied due to lack of a causal link between Agent Orange exposure and the condition.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by VA hospital care, medical or surgical treatment and denied entitlement to DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has determined that the veteran's COPD did not begin during her active service and is not otherwise linked to a period of active service. As such, the claim for service connection for COPD is denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional evidentiary and due process development, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing at the RO.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, but finds that it is not related to service and denies the claim.

The Board denied service connection for emphysema and bi-basal pneumonia, finding that the veteran's current respiratory conditions are not related to his active service or any incident therein.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) contributed to his death, warranting service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has found that the evidence supports a grant of service connection for COPD, finding it at least as likely as not that the veteran's COPD began during his military service.

The Board determined that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for cause of death.

The Board found that neither hypertension nor COPD were incurred in or aggravated by service, and the veteran's anxiety disorder did not cause his death. The Board concluded that there was no causal connection between the service-connected conditions and the cause of death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board found that the submitted evidence was not new and material, thus denying the appellant's request to reopen her claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The veteran's cause of death was not service-connected, and he did not meet the criteria for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318(b).

The Board found that the veteran's COPD and steroid dependency were not caused or substantially contributed to by his in-service tobacco use, leading to a denial of service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not currently suffer from COPD, and therefore, service connection for this condition cannot be granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's COPD did not begin during her active service and is not otherwise linked to a period of active service. As such, the claim for service connection for COPD is denied.

The veteran's respiratory disability, including asbestosis, COPD, and emphysema, is being remanded for further examination and development due to the failure to report a scheduled Travel Board hearing. The examiner should determine if his current respiratory conditions are related to service exposure to asbestos.

The Board is requesting further development of the record to clarify whether the veteran's COPD is related to asbestos exposure during service, and to obtain his private treatment records from Dr. Ashby.

The veteran's COPD was rated at 30 percent prior to June 8, 2006 and at 60 percent since that date. The appeal is denied for a higher rating.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused or substantially contributed to by any service-connected disability, and denied the claim for service connection for the cause of his death.