COPD decisions — 2009

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Barrett's Esophagitis and increased disability ratings for COPD and IVDS of the lumbar spine, finding no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's death may be related to his active military service, specifically his pre-existing COPD and bronchocarcinoma. The VA will seek additional medical opinions to determine if these conditions were aggravated by service or contributed to cause of death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions of COPD, tinea pedis, and tinea cruris are not related to service and have denied these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by cardiac arrest, due to (or as a consequence of) septic shock, which was contributed to by his service-connected PTSD and COPD. Therefore, the appeal for service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Veteran's COPD is not service connected as it was not shown during service and there is no medical evidence linking the current condition to his military service, including presumed herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's cause of death was listed as ischemic cardiomyopathy, coronary artery disease (CAD), peripheral vascular disease (PVD), and chronic renal insufficiency. The Board finds that the Veteran's COPD, which he developed due to exposure to welding fumes in service, contributed substantially to his death.

The Veteran's restrictive airway disease, diagnosed as COPD and emphysema, was incurred as a result of active duty service.

The Veteran's asthma, COPD, and lung cancer are being remanded for further development due to the need for a VA examination. The appeal is not about service connection via a presumption like PACT Act/Agent Orange/Camp Lejeune.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for COPD and/or emphysema due to asbestos exposure, as well as his claim for an increased rating for PTSD. The Veteran was also not granted TDIU. The VA examinations did not find evidence supporting a direct link between the Veteran's current respiratory disorders and his military service or any specific exposure.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a lung condition has been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and private medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development and lack of rationale in the medical opinions provided. The appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and entitlement to DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 are being returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected asthma is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion regarding the severity of his condition, as well as whether his COPD is related to his asthma.

The Veteran's death was not caused by or a result of his service-connected condition, squamous cell carcinoma. The Board found that the service-connected disability did not contribute to the cause of death.

The cause of the Veteran's death was not related to any service-connected condition, and his COPD and lung cancer were not considered directly related to service.

The Board denied service connection for a lung disorder, finding that the weight of the evidence did not support a relationship between the Veteran's current lung disorder and his military service.

The Board found no evidence of bronchitis or COPD during service, and there is no probative evidence linking the Veteran's current respiratory conditions to his military service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and COPD.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU from January 28, 2003 to March 9, 2006 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is related to his active military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD and emphysema are not related to his active service, including exposure to asbestos. The preponderance of evidence is against the claims for service connection.