COPD decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine the relationship between the veteran's current COPD and his active service, including exposure to herbicides. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his diagnosed conditions, particularly thyroid disorder, liver disease, and PTSD. The case is now pending for further examination and medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the cause of the veteran's death was not related to his military service and therefore denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for hepatitis C. The veteran was previously granted a 10 percent rating for his hepatitis C, effective December 19, 2003.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and therefore denied both the claim for cause of death and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation under section 1318.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the veteran's current pulmonary disability is related to asbestos exposure during service.

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 veteran's death was not caused by or substantially contributed to by any service-connected disability. The veteran did not meet the criteria for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current lung diseases and COPD are not related to his active duty service, including claimed exposure to asbestos. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by VA treatment, and thus denied the claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The veteran is seeking service connection for a respiratory disorder, specifically chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The VA has ordered the retrieval of recent medical records from Bath, New York and requested an opinion from any physician who has linked his current lung disorders to his military service. If a link can be established, he may be granted service connection.

The veteran's appeals for service connection have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Board found no evidence to support a connection between the veteran's current respiratory disabilities and his service, including exposure to asbestos. The claim for service connection was denied.

The veteran died of pneumonia due to COPD, which was not service-connected. The Board found that the service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute substantially to his death.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed lung cancer and emphysema, diagnosed as COPD, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

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

The VA determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of asbestosis or any asbestos-related disability, and there is no competent evidence showing that his currently shown respiratory disability is related to military service.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if the veteran's bronchitis and COPD are related to military service, given the addition of recent medical records.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a lung disability, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer, as well as degenerative changes of the cervical spine. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to herbicide exposure or service.

The Board denied the reopening of the claim for service connection for schizophrenia and denied all other claims due to lack of new and material evidence.