COPD decisions — 2007

The Board is remanding the case to the RO for further development and consideration, including obtaining a VA examination to determine if COPD is proximately due to or the result of service-connected rhinitis with sinusitis.

The veteran seeks service connection for COPD as a result of asbestos exposure. The claim is being remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and determine the relationship between the veteran's current condition and his in-service asbestos exposure.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for cause of death and payment of accrued benefits due to lack of evidence linking the veteran's conditions to his service.

The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for COPD, either as incurred in service or secondary to PTSD. The veteran's COPD is considered to be related to his smoking habit.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318, finding that the veteran was not service-connected for any disabilities at the time of his death and would not have been entitled to a total compensation rating for a continuous period of at least 10 years immediately preceding death.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to the adjudication of this claim due to inadequate notice provided to the appellant.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that none of them were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and denied service connection for COPD.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current COPD and previous pneumonia are not service-connected, as there is no medical nexus linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for asbestosis and COPD, finding that there is no evidence of in-service asbestos exposure or a direct link to military service.

The veteran's death was due to his service-connected COPD, and the appellant meets the criteria for DIC benefits as her marriage occurred within 15 years of the relevant period of service.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for a higher rating for his autoimmune disorder with COPD and multiple joint swelling, as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 60 percent.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection of COPD and emphysema, which he claimed were residuals from asbestos exposure during his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is service-connected, as it was incurred in active service. The COPD claim remains pending and will be remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected Crohn's disease contributed substantially to his death from lung cancer, and thus grants service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's COPD is not related to his active service, including exposure to asbestos. Therefore, the claim for service connection for COPD is denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for chronic respiratory disability on a secondary basis due to his service-connected sinusitis and rhinitis.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 as her COPD exacerbation was not shown to be caused by the administration of steroids at a VA facility.

The Board denied service connection for a deviated nasal septum and COPD, finding that the veteran's conditions are not due to disease or injury incurred in active service. The claim for an initial evaluation of lumbar spine disability was granted but with no assigned percentage.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death due to cardiorespiratory arrest, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with osteomyelitis and status post cardiovascular accident (CVA), thrombosis. The veteran's death was not related to his military service or service-connected disabilities.,Benefits on an accrued basis were not met as the veteran had no claim pending at the time of his death and no unpaid benefits due.