COPD decisions — 2008

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including COPD and residuals of pneumonia, finding no evidence to support his contention that he was exposed to asbestos in service or that his current condition is related to military service.

The Board found that the veteran's current respiratory disorders are not related to his service, and thus denied both claims for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's currently diagnosed respiratory disability, including asthma and COPD, is not attributable to service. The preexisting condition of asthma was presumed to have existed prior to service.

The veteran's claim for service connection was denied, and he died without having a pending claim or existing rating that would qualify him for accrued benefits.

The veteran's death was caused by coronary artery disease, which is service-connected. The Board has granted service connection for the cause of death and therefore does not need to address the DIC claim under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a lung disability and left leg or knee disability, finding no current chronic lung disability other than emphysema/COPD. The claim for left leg or knee disability is remanded due to lack of examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for his claimed conditions, finding that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss or service connection for skin cancer, hypertension, COPD, or chronic bronchitis based on herbicide exposure. The veteran's current disabilities were found to be unrelated to service.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected varicose veins did not cause or contribute to his death from a pulmonary embolus and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The appellant's claim of entitlement to service connection for the cause of the veteran's death was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, Barrett's esophagus to include diverticulitis, or psoriasis as a result of service. The Board also found that hypertension and congestive heart failure with coronary artery disease were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for COPD and also denied his application for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder and non-service connected COPD.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current COPD disability and the veteran's COPD is not related to his service or any service-connected condition. The claim for service connection for COPD is therefore denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with asthma and emphysema, hypertension, and hypotension. The disabilities were not shown to be related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the veteran's claimed conditions.

The VA determined that the veteran's COPD is not related to his military service or exposure to asbestos, and therefore denied his claim.

The Board found that there is no factual, verifiable or corroborating evidence of asbestos exposure during service. The veteran's COPD was not incurred in service.

The Board found no evidence of a right leg disorder in service and denied the veteran's claim for service connection. The COPD claim is remanded to issue a Statement of the Case.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and a need for further examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cause of death, non-small cell lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), was not related to his military service or exposure to Agent Orange. As a result, service connection for the cause of the veteran's death is denied.

The Board finds that the veteran's pulmonary disorder, claimed as COPD and asthma, may be related to his in-service exposure during Project SHAD. However, there is a reasonable doubt about this connection.,Regarding glaucoma with cataracts, post-extraction, with IOL placement, the evidence raises a reasonable doubt as to whether it was caused by steroid use for service-connected respiratory disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), finding that it was not related to exposure to fuels or herbicides in service and instead resulted from the use of tobacco products.