COPD decisions — 2007

The Board found that the cause of the veteran's death, respiratory failure with COPD and lung cancer, was not related to his service. The COPD and lung cancer were not deemed to be directly related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, attributing it to asbestos exposure and resulting respiratory impairment.

The Board denied service connection for gastric cancer and asthma/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as the veteran did not have a current disability or evidence of in-service injury or exposure to hazardous substances.

The Board found that the veteran's death was caused by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, secondary to bronchitis, due to chronic bronchiectasis, emphysema, and asthma. The conditions did not stem from his service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the merits of the veteran's claims for service connection for atrial fibrillation and COPD. The case is being remanded for further development.

The veteran's heart disease, epididymitis, aneurysm, white mass on the brain, memory loss, COPD, left wrist weakness and scarring, right ear hearing loss, seizure disorder, and erectile dysfunction are not service-connected due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange.,Service connection is denied for all claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed to his death, and thus grants service connection for the cause of death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and alcohol dependence, as well as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The decision also noted that new and material evidence had not been provided to reopen a previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine if the veteran's death was caused by exposure to ionizing radiation, and to consider his claim for Dependents' Educational Assistance. The appeal is currently in remand status.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and COPD, finding no current diagnosis of PTSD and insufficient evidence to support a link between COPD and service or exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for respiratory disorders, including COPD and asthma, as claimed to be residuals of exposure to mustard gas. The evidence did not confirm full-body exposure to mustard gas during service, nor was there a showing of chronic disease in service or subsequent development of the claimed conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic respiratory disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bronchopneumonia or COPD, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to service. The veteran's claims for service connection are denied.

The veteran's emergency medical services provided at Gilmore Memorial Hospital were approved as they met the criteria for payment under the Millennium Bill Act, including being in a public emergency facility and not having feasible VA alternatives.

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

The Board denied the claim of service connection for cause of death due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the appeal can be decided, including providing VCAA notice and obtaining a VA examination to determine if the veteran's current respiratory disorders are related to service.

The Board found that the veteran's currently diagnosed ASHD with CABG is not related to service or his service-connected COPD, and therefore denied the claim for secondary service connection.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic disability related to service for COPD or stomach conditions, and thus denied the veteran's claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for spondylolisthesis, grade I with DDD and residuals of a collapsed lung. The claim for diabetes mellitus type II was reopened but not granted.