COPD decisions — 2007

The Board denied service connection for COPD, peripheral neuropathy, and chronic pancreatitis due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or exposure to herbicides/depleted uranium.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not currently suffer from bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a bilateral eye condition, or a lung condition. The claims for service connection have been denied as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board found no evidence to support a connection between the veteran's service-connected conditions and his death, nor did any other condition cause or contribute substantially to his death. The claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death is denied.

The Board has granted the appellant's claim for increased dependency and indemnity compensation at the housebound rate due to her disabilities that substantially confine her to her home.

The veteran seeks service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and an initial evaluation in excess of 0 percent for bilateral hearing loss. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current asbestos-related lung disorder and there is no evidence linking his COPD/Emphysema to service, including any alleged asbestos exposure. As such, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board denied the appellant's claim of service connection for the cause of death, finding that none of the conditions were present in service or linked to service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and COPD, finding no relationship between these conditions and his military service or his service-connected diabetes.

The Board has determined that the veteran's COPD and PTSD are not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's COPD was not incurred or aggravated by service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated by his active duty service and is not related to any service-connected condition.

The Board found that the appellant did not have a chronic respiratory condition in service and his COPD is not otherwise related to active service, including potential exposure to toxic substances.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed disabilities, including coronary artery disease, COPD, chronic bronchitis, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, are not service-connected due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The presumptive provisions for Agent Orange exposure do not apply as these conditions are not listed among those diseases presumed to be associated with such exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need for VA examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and a respiratory disorder, finding no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service.,Service connection was also denied for headaches secondary to hypertension and sleep apnea as secondary to the respiratory disorder.

The Board has determined that additional medical records are needed and a VA examination is required to determine the relationship between the veteran's current pulmonary disability, including any asbestos-related condition, and his service. The case is being remanded for these purposes.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to new and material evidence. However, the VA examiner concluded that the veteran's service-connected disabilities did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder, respiratory disorder, and eye disorder as residuals of mustard gas exposure due to lack of evidence of full-body exposure during active duty.

The veteran's claim for specially adapted housing and a special home adaptation grant was denied as he does not meet the requirements for these benefits due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right shoulder, traumatic arthritis, and COPD disabilities are not service-connected. The cervical and lumbar spine disabilities were found to be not related to his military service.