COPD decisions — 2007

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for pulmonary tuberculosis, finding that new and material evidence had not been received.

The Board has determined that the cause of the veteran's death was COPD and gastrointestinal bleed, neither of which are service-connected. The Board also found no evidence to suggest that the veteran's service-connected PTB contributed to his death.

The Board has denied service connection for hepatitis C, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, tinnitus, deafness, hypertension, and visual impairment claimed as an eye disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for both cardiovascular disorders and asthma with COPD, including secondary to his cardiovascular disorder. The decision stated that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence of pre-existing cardiovascular disorder being aggravated by service, and also noted insufficient medical nexus evidence linking the asthma with COPD directly or secondarily to service.

The Board denied service connection for corneal opacities and conjunctivitis due to mustard gas exposure, as well as service connection for COPD due to second-hand smoke and/or mustard gas exposure. The veteran's claims were not supported by competent evidence.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence showing that his fatal congestive heart failure or COPD had its onset in service, was causally related to service, or was caused by a service-connected disability.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic lung disorder during service and concluded that the current lung condition is more likely due to continued tobacco use and obesity, rather than military service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has determined that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy, diverticulitis, and respiratory condition are not service-connected. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension benefits based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound is remanded due to insufficient medical evidence to determine the severity of his disabilities.

The Board's February 2006 decision assigning an effective date of June 9, 1992 for the grant of service connection for COPD was vacated and the appeal is dismissed due to the veteran's death.

The Board found that the veteran's countable income exceeded the maximum annual rate of improved pension for a veteran with no dependents in 2002, and therefore denied his claim.

The Board found that the veteran's bronchial asthma and COPD are likely due to his service-connected PTSD, and granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a lung condition, initially diagnosed as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and later diagnosed as interstitial lung disease. The veteran's current lung disability is not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bronchitis, bronchial pneumonia, emphysema, or COPD. The May 1990 decision denying service connection is final.

The veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected PTSD, and the Board finds that DIC benefits pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 are denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, skin cancer, 'small strokes', and prostate cancer, all claimed as due to radiation exposure. The evidence did not support a finding of service connection based on direct causation or any presumptive conditions.

The veteran's death was not caused by VA hospital care, surgical or medical treatment. The Board found no evidence of negligence or fault on the part of VA in his care.

The veteran is seeking service connection for COPD, which he claims was caused by asbestos exposure during his Navy service. The VA has requested a medical examination to determine if the veteran's current pulmonary disorder is related to his service and specifically to asbestos exposure.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute substantially to his death.