COPD decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that the veteran's lung disability, to include COPD, is not related to his service and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for a single seizure, service connection for hypertension and COPD/Asthma, TDIU, and earlier effective date for nonservice-connected pension benefits were all denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of in-service seizures or related diagnoses, no medical nexus between the veteran's current conditions and his military service, and no evidence of exposure to hazardous materials like jet fuel.

The Board denied service connection for a cardiopulmonary disability, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, due to mustard gas exposure in service. The evidence did not establish full-body exposure to mustard gas and the veteran's current condition is not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for a medical opinion regarding whether VA care caused additional disability or death.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed conditions of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and COPD were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board has determined that the cause of the veteran's death is not service-connected and therefore, denied both the claim for service connection for the cause of death and the eligibility for Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA).

The VA denied reopening the veteran's claim for service connection for COPD and denied his new claim with regard to asbestosis.

The veteran is seeking service connection for various health conditions, including migraine headaches, lung disease, heart disease, bladder cancer, and skin cancer. The appeal will be remanded to obtain additional information about the veteran's exposure during his military service in India.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board dismissed the appeal on the issue of service connection for emphysema/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (claimed as lung condition) as a result of asbestos exposure due to the appellant's withdrawal. The claim for an increased evaluation for the scar was not granted, and the effective date for the 10 percent disability evaluation was determined to be June 2002.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have COPD or cysts as a result of his active military service and denied both claims.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for further action, including consideration of additional evidence and a video-conference hearing.

The veteran's death was caused by COPD, with significant contributions from coronary artery disease and hepatic carcinoid. Service connection for the cause of death is granted. Liver cancer is not service-connected, nor can it be presumed due to radiation exposure in service.

The veteran is seeking service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which he claims as asbestosis. The claim must be remanded to obtain SSA records and a VA examination to determine the nature, extent, onset, and etiology of any lung disability found to be present.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, COPD, and CAD. The COPD claim was denied as it is not shown to be related to service or due to herbicide exposure or asbestosis. The CAD claim was also denied as there is no evidence of its onset during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for COPD, varicose veins with edema and discoloration of the ankles and feet, high blood pressure, and elevated cholesterol levels. The reasons given were that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.

The Board found no evidence of a direct medical nexus between military service and the veteran's current pulmonary disorders, thus denying service connection for a pulmonary disorder due to asbestos exposure or otherwise.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for back disorder with pain, leg symptoms and sciatica, as well as COPD, asthma and bronchitis. The Board found that a chronic back disorder was not manifested during or within one year after service, nor is there competent evidence relating current back disorder to service. For COPD, asthma and bronchitis, the Board concluded that they were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as secondary to his service-connected residuals of spontaneous pneumothorax. The disability rating for the residuals of spontaneous pneumothorax remains at 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD as an accrued benefit, finding that the veteran's COPD is related to his period of active duty service.