COPD decisions — 2007

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for MDS, COPD, pneumonia, thyroid cancer, leukopenia, and gastroesophageal ulcer. The appeals were not granted as there is no evidence of a nexus between any current disabilities and service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board has remanded the case for further medical examination and opinion regarding the veteran's lung disabilities, including asbestosis. The appeal is pending until further action.

The veteran's death was caused by aspiration pneumonia, with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and hematuria as contributing causes. The Board found no objective evidence of a positive nexus between the veteran's service-connected disabilities and his cause of death. Therefore, the claim for service connection for cause of death is denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection for COPD secondary to asbestos exposure is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and a VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, joint pain as a residual of rheumatic fever, and COPD. The left knee disability was not shown to be related to service or rheumatic fever. Joint pain was not linked to service or rheumatic fever. COPD was found to be primarily due to tobacco smoking rather than asbestos exposure.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for emphysema and COPD, as well as a compensable rating for bilateral defective hearing. The evidence did not support higher ratings or service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and a bilateral leg condition. The issue of service connection for a bilateral foot condition is not addressed in this decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to lack of evidence showing negligence or fault in VA treatment, and denied his attempt to reopen his service connection claim for eye disorders.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic lung condition, identified as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and emphysema, that is causally or etiologically related to military service. The veteran's long history of smoking was considered in the decision.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing VA records and a need to obtain state disability benefits records.

The veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, cataracts, and glaucoma for purposes of accrued benefits have been denied as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service or the service-connected disabilities at the time of his death.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a low back disorder, right leg disorder, or left leg disorder related to service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Board denied reopening the claim for schizophrenia and found no service connection for head injury residuals, back disability, or COPD. The claims were all denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for non-tubercular pulmonary disease, diagnosed as COPD, emphysema, and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the evidence did not support a direct or secondary relationship to his service-connected lung pathology.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain a medical opinion regarding the relationship between the veteran's fatal cardiovascular disease and/or COPD and his service, as well as any potential exposure to toxic substances. The claim will be reconsidered after obtaining this information.

The Board found that the veteran's death was caused by a service-connected condition (COPD) attributable to tobacco products, and therefore denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board has decided that further development of the evidence is needed before deciding whether the veteran's COPD is related to asbestos exposure during service.

The Board found that the veteran's breathing problems, including COPD and OSA, are not related to his active duty service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The VA has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, as the submitted evidence does not link the cause of death (bronchial asthma) to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board found that the veteran did not have exposure to mustard gas or Lewisite during service and thus could not establish a claim for service connection based on such exposure. The Board also determined that there was no evidence of combat, which is required for claims involving PTSD. As a result, the veteran's claims were denied.