COPD decisions — 2008

The Board denied service connection for chronic hypertension, a vision disability and COPD as the evidence did not show that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active duty service nor proximately caused or aggravated by the veteran's service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for COPD/emphysema and tinnitus, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim for COPD/emphysema and that there was no evidence linking either condition to his military service.

The Board grants service connection for pulmonary emphysema, resolving doubt in favor of the veteran and finding that his current condition is related to presumed exposure to herbicides during military service.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is being remanded to obtain a new VA examination and any additional evidence of record.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development and consideration of the veteran's claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for asbestosis with pleural plaques, finding that his pulmonary impairment was due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and not related to service-connected conditions.

The appeal was remanded to obtain a thorough and contemporaneous medical examination, taking into account the veteran's prior medical history, to determine the relationship between his service-connected duodenal ulcer and respiratory disability.

The Board denied service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, a low back disability, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as there was no evidence of a current disability or evidence establishing that an event, injury, or disease occurred in service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is being remanded to obtain additional evidence and an examination.

The veteran's hypertension was aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and a remand is necessary to obtain additional evidence for the other claims.

The Board denied service connection for all the claimed conditions, except for pseudoptosis and paralysis of trigeminal nerve which were rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for adenocarcinoma of the prostate, status post radiation therapy, as there was no evidence to support a higher rating based on residual symptoms.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a lung condition, to include COPD, and a low back disorder as there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities were not a principal or contributory cause of his death.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for an examination regarding COPD.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound was denied as he is not bedridden, does not require regular aid and attendance, and is not substantially confined to his house.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, due to exposure to asbestos and/or radiation is being remanded for further development.

The veteran's claims for service connection for emphysema and COPD are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining his service personnel records and treatment records from private physicians.

The Board has determined that the veteran's asbestos exposure in service substantially and materially contributed to his death from large cell lung cancer, granting service connection for the cause of his death.