COPD decisions — 2009

The Veteran's lung disorder, including COPD and pulmonary interstitial fibrosis, is being remanded for further development to determine if it is related to his service exposure to asbestos. The appeal will be reconsidered after the additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for proper VCAA notification regarding service connection claims for coronary artery disease, aortic aneurysm, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The unspecified growth other than a left adrenal mass claim will also be remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, respiratory disability (likely COPD), and left foot disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for COPD is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and testing.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's cause of death to service, including asbestos exposure. The claim for service connection for cause of death is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's calcified pleural plaques and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are related to asbestos exposure during his military service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus, type II was denied. The RO also denied service connection for COPD in a prior decision that became final. New evidence received since the last denial is sufficient to reopen the claim of service connection for COPD.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not cause his death, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's service connection claim for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is denied as the condition did not manifest in or was not related to his active duty. The special monthly pension based on aid and attendance of another person is also denied due to lack of need.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for COPD, finding that his condition did not begin in or is related to his military service.

The Veteran's death was attributed to cardiopulmonary arrest due to or as a result of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and coronary artery disease. The appellant contends that PTSD contributed to these conditions, but the VA examiner found no causal relationship between PTSD and the Veteran's cause of death.

The Board found that the Veteran's current COPD is not causally or etiologically related to active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran died from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with underlying failure to thrive and contributing conditions including pulmonary hypertension and atrial flutter. The Board finds no evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities, thus denying the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and ischemic heart disease rated at 100 percent disabling, meet the criteria for special monthly pension at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and peripheral vascular disease of the hands and feet are denied as there is no evidence that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's current diagnosis of COPD is not related to his active service exposure to asbestos, and the Board finds that it was less likely than not caused by his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and erectile dysfunction were denied, but the Board granted service connection for erectile dysfunction due to its relationship with a service-connected condition (diabetes mellitus). Service connection for COPD was not granted as there was no evidence of in-service disease or injury.

The Veteran's lung disability, including COPD, bronchitis, asthma, and bronchiectasis, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran died of a non-service-connected cause and was not buried in a state veteran's cemetery. Therefore, the claim for burial benefits is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a pulmonary disorder and bilateral pes planus were denied. The Board found no evidence of chronic lung problems or significant foot issues during service, and the current conditions are not shown to be related to service.