COPD decisions — 2008

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for emphysema and COPD, finding no evidence of current diagnoses or in-service occurrence.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the veteran's exposure to mustard gas during service, and further development is needed.

The Board denied an earlier effective date prior to June 2, 1997 for the grant of a 100 percent disability rating for COPD for accrued purposes.

The Board has reviewed the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including asbestosis (also claimed as COPD), PTSD, positive TB test, hypertension, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with lumbago and sciatica, scoliosis, and skin fungus. However, there is no competent medical evidence to support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including COPD and bilateral knee problems, result in the loss of use of both lower extremities. He qualifies for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing but not for special home adaptations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was aggravated by exposure to solvents during his active duty service after October 1995, and thus grants service connection for this extent of disability.

The veteran's service connection for COPD, secondary to PTSD, is granted.,Service connection for PTSD is granted with an initial evaluation of 10 percent.,Service connection for heart disease is granted with an initial evaluation of 50 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disorder, hypertension, and COPD to include as secondary to herbicide exposure. The Board found no current diagnosis of a low back disorder and noted that there was no evidence of hypertension within one year of separation from active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding private treatment records that may be relevant to the issue of service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully consider the veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder and respiratory disorder. The RO must obtain all relevant medical records, including those from SSA and VA facilities, and then review the claims with consideration of all applicable laws and regulations.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, effective June 10, 2003. Service connection for CAD and COPD with asthma and bronchitis was denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's attempt to reopen his claim for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, finding that no new and material evidence was submitted.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the veteran died during the pendency of the appeal, and thus the case has been returned to the Board.

The Board has determined that the veteran's COPD was not incurred in service and is not causally related to service, thus denying the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's COPD is not more than 100% disabling, and thus does not warrant a higher initial compensable evaluation.

The Board found that the veteran's current lung disability is not related to his service, including exposure to asbestos. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to November 3, 2003, for the award of service connection for COPD.

The Board has determined that the veteran's respiratory disorder, including COPD, is not related to his service or any incident therein, including exposure to asbestos. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a lung disability, including as secondary to asbestos and mustard gas exposure. The Board found that there was no evidence linking his current respiratory disabilities (bronchitis, adenocarcinoma, COPD) to active service.

The veteran's pulmonary tuberculosis with associated COPD was rated at 60 percent from May 29, 1987 to February 8, 1995.