COPD decisions — 2007

The veteran's COPD is rated at the maximum available rating of 60 percent, and his bilateral glaucoma with visual field loss warrants a 30 percent evaluation. The right leg varicose veins are also rated at the maximum available rating of 10 percent.

The Board found that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and denied the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding insufficient evidence to establish a relationship between his current condition and his period of active service.

The Board found that the veteran's cause of death was not service-connected and denied both his claim for service connection for the cause of death and his DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board finds that the veteran's COPD is likely due to a chronic respiratory disorder he experienced during his service in Vietnam, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and the need to consider private medical evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including peptic ulcer disease, diabetes, hypertension, heart attack, blisters and hives, upper and lower back problems, and breathing problems (COPD and sleep apnea), are not related to his active service or exposure to mustard gas. As such, these claims have been denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the claim for service connection for COPD, as secondary to service-connected granulomatous disease of the lungs. The case is REMANDED to the RO/AMC for further action.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether COPD is related to service, and a VA examination is needed.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion and providing proper VCAA notice.

The VA denied the appellant's claim of entitlement to service connection for a lung disorder (diagnosed as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) on the basis that there is no medical evidence showing the condition is related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and an initial compensable disability rating for asbestosis, finding no current diagnosis of COPD and insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between any diagnosed condition and service.

The veteran's COPD is rated at a 30 percent rating, which meets the criteria for this rating based on his pulmonary function test results.

The Board determined that the cause of the veteran's death was not related to his service-connected condition, discogenic disease of the lumbosacral spine. The appellant's claim for DIC benefits based on the cause of the veteran's death is therefore denied.

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence linking the veteran's respiratory disability, claimed as asthma, COPD and a vocal cord condition to service, including exposure to oil well fires in the Southwest Asia theater of operations. As such, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and asthma, peripheral neuropathy, and left ear hearing loss. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service or exposure to herbicides.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The issues of service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and a higher disability rating for chronic wrist strain are not before the Board.

The Board found that the veteran's current respiratory disorders, diagnosed as COPD and asthmatic bronchitis, were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that his current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for COPD. The Board also found that the veteran's COPD and emphysema are related to his active service, including exposure to chemicals and toxins during his time with the Blue Angels.

The veteran's death was caused by lung carcinoma, which is not service-connected. The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.