COPD decisions — 2007

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for pulmonary tuberculosis and a compensable disability evaluation for residuals of histoplasmosis, finding no evidence of current disabilities related to these conditions. The claim for COPD was remanded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's type II diabetes mellitus, which is related to his active duty service and presumed due to exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam, contributed substantially to cause the veteran's death. As such, service connection for the cause of the veteran's death is granted.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current pulmonary disabilities, including COPD and a moderate obstructive lung defect, to asbestos exposure during his military service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board denied the appellant's claim of entitlement to service connection for the cause of her husband's death, finding that there was no evidence linking his fatal conditions to his active service or exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a broken nose, right ear hearing loss, hand and elbow disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and increased rating for DDD of the lumbar spine. The evidence did not establish new and material evidence to reopen any of these claims.

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 his death.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical examinations and opinions regarding the veteran's service-connected sinusitis and its impact on his other claimed disabilities.

The Board found that the cause of death, medullary failure due to respiratory arrest due to acute bronchial asthma, was not related to service-connected conditions or herbicide exposure. The COPD was considered a contributory cause but not the principal cause of death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and a dental disorder. The decision also noted that new evidence had not been received to reopen the claim for residuals of pneumonia.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current respiratory disability, including COPD and emphysema, was not incurred or aggravated by service, specifically due to in-service asbestos exposure. The medical evidence does not support a connection between his current condition and service.

The Board found that the veteran's arteriosclerosis and COPD were not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor are they proximately due to her service-connected asthma. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hip and pelvis injury is attributable to his active service, thus granting service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the veteran's COPD (emphysema)/bronchitis did not begin during his military service and is unrelated to his service, including any treatment he received in service.

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

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a respiratory examination.

The veteran claims service connection for a lung disorder, including emphysema and COPD. The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the lung disorder.

The veteran's spouse is seeking accrued benefits based on claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and COPD. The claims were denied due to lack of a nexus between these disorders and the veteran's service or service-connected disabilities. A remand is necessary to obtain additional VA treatment records relevant to the veteran's claims.

The veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for emergency treatment from February 20, 2006 to February 26, 2006 are approved as the treatment was deemed necessary due to a medical emergency and no VA facility was feasibly available.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of facial trauma to the nose and jaw, a respiratory disorder due to herbicide exposure, and a left leg disorder. The claimant's appeal was not successful in any of these areas.

The Board found that none of the veteran's service-connected conditions caused or contributed to his death.