COPD decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is not related to his active military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the claim of service connection for the cause of death due to exposure to mustard gas during military service. The veteran's COPD, while diagnosed post-service, does not appear to be related to his in-service exposures.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for COPD or an acquired psychiatric disorder. The appellant's current conditions were not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was caused by his service-connected schizophrenia, but also found in favor of a connection between sarcoidosis and COPD. The Board granted service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, COPD, and bilateral hallux valgus with bunions. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for COPD, including based on herbicide exposure, has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining employment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the veteran's current pulmonary disorders are linked to in-service asbestos exposure.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of September 14, 1993 for the grant of service connection for asbestosis and COPD with emphysema.

The veteran's claim for service connection for asbestosis was denied due to lack of evidence of the condition. The veteran's need for aid and attendance was granted, with a special monthly pension rate based on his physical limitations.

The Board denied service connection for COPD and arthritis, finding no direct relationship to the veteran's military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current residuals of amebic dysentery, gunshot wound to the right hand and wrist, or shell fragment wound to the left leg. The claim for COPD is denied as there is no evidence linking it to exposure to phosene gas in service. The skin disorder claims are also denied due to lack of evidence connecting them to service.

The Board found that there is no evidence to support a direct relationship between the veteran's service-connected post-operative thrombophlebitis syndrome and his development of COPD. The medical opinions provided did not establish a causal link between the veteran's service-connected condition and his current COPD.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have COPD or low back strain with low back pain due to service. The evidence shows that his COPD began in June 1985, over a decade after service ended, and is more likely related to his long-term smoking habit rather than any injury sustained during military service.

Service connection for COPD, basal cell carcinoma of the arms, hands, face, chest, and back, and glaucoma is denied.,The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions are related to service.

The VA denied the veteran's claim of service connection for COPD, which he claimed was related to his exposure to asbestos during military service. The Board found that there was no evidence of a chronic respiratory disorder during service and that the current condition is unrelated to service.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of death, accrued benefits, and nonservice-connected death pension due to lack of evidence linking any condition to military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and emphysema, finding no evidence of a nexus to service. The claim for hepatitis C was reopened but not granted due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's COPD is not due to service or asbestos exposure, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lung condition, including bronchitis, COPD, and emphysema, was not caused by his active military service from July 1962 to May 1965. Therefore, service connection for a lung condition is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's COPD was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim.