COPD decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that the veteran's respiratory disorder, including COPD and asthma, did not have onset during active service or is otherwise etiologically related to his active service. The claim for sinus condition with hay fever and allergies was previously denied and new evidence does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating this claim. The veteran's scar associated with jaw fracture is less than 13 cm long and does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for a respiratory disorder, including asthma, COPD, and emphysema. The decision is based on the veteran's reported exposure to fumes during his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a lack of clarity in the decision and potential issues with service connection.

The veteran's COPD was rated at 60 percent from March 29, 2004 to February 7, 2007. After that date, the rating remained at 30 percent.

The Board found that COPD was not incurred in or aggravated by the veteran's active duty service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination to determine if COPD (claimed as lung disease) is related to service or any other exposure.

The Board found that the evidence did not show a disability of service origin or a service-connected disability caused or contributed to the veteran's death.

The Board denied the veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for COPD, as new and material evidence was not presented.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of malaria, low back disability, and COPD. The claim for PTSD was granted with an initial rating of 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the cause of the veteran's death was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty, nor may such incurrence or aggravation be presumed. The appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death is denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded for additional development.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory condition to include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bullous disease, and residuals of a collapsed left lung. The veteran's arthritis of the cervical spine was rated at 20 percent, and his arthritis of the thoracic spine was rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals of a stab wound to the right chest was denied as there is no evidence of moderate myocardial deficiency, and the pulmonary function tests did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran's initial rating in excess of 30 percent for asbestosis, with COPD, was not met; however, the reduction from a 30 percent evaluation to a 10 percent evaluation is inappropriate and should be restored.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, to include as a result of exposure to herbicides and asbestos.

The veteran does not have bronchitis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease that is related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as there was no evidence to support a finding that either condition was related to his military service.

The appeal is remanded for additional development, including notification and the acquisition of potentially relevant medical records.

The Board denied service connection for weight loss and COPD as there was no evidence of a current disability.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disability, hypertension, and headaches as they were not shown to be related to the veteran's active duty. Service connection was granted for impairment of the bilateral lower extremities as it was found to be secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral strain.