COPD decisions — 2008

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence linking his terminal COPD and CAD to his military service or exposure to Agent Orange. The Board concluded that the conditions were not related to his service.

The Board found that the veteran's COPD, which caused his death in September 2003, was not related to service and therefore denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and a bilateral foot disorder were not incurred or aggravated during service, and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of asbestosis or any other pulmonary pathology attributable to his period of active service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for asbestosis was denied.

The veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability, and the appellant is not entitled to DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his military service, including herbicide exposure.

The Board denied service connection for COPD due to a lack of evidence showing the condition was incurred in or aggravated by service. The claim for service connection for fever of unknown etiology was also denied as there is no current diagnosis of such condition.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a low back disability and granted service connection. The claims for COPD, dental disability, headaches, sinusitis, and rhinitis were denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and skin cancer, finding that COPD was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty service and that skin cancer is not related to service. The claim for hearing loss of the right ear remains pending.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a respiratory disability, which includes asthma, COPD, and bronchitis. The decision is based on evidence submitted by the veteran regarding his exposure to environmental hazards in the boiler room and during the Gulf War.

The Board has granted service connection for lung disease (asthma and COPD) due to exposure to toxic substances during service, including as a result of fuels. The Board also granted service connection for right hip and right lower extremity arthritis secondary to the veteran's service-connected lumbar spine degenerative arthritis.

The Board found that the veteran's cause of death, laryngeal carcinoma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), were not caused by or substantially contributed to by a disability incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred in service due to herbicide exposure. COPD was not incurred or aggravated by active service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred in active service.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient reasoning and development in previous decisions. The appeals are now pending with the RO for further adjudication.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a pulmonary disorder and a cognitive disorder, finding that there was no evidence of chronic conditions related to service or exposure to asbestos or lead paint.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a supplemental medical opinion regarding whether the veteran's COPD is permanently aggravated by her service-connected TB.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his participation in Project SHAD and denied all service connection claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lung disorder, including emphysema and COPD, is not service-connected due to lack of evidence supporting a connection to his military service or exposure to asbestos or herbicides.

The veteran's claims for an increased rating for asbestosis and service connection for his respiratory conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and notification of relevant regulations.