COPD decisions — 2009

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability is causally linked to his multiple parachute jumps during service, and thus grants service connection for a status-post left knee replacement. The lung disease claim remains pending as additional development is needed.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and his military service did not qualify him for VA pension benefits.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lung disorder, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asbestosis, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The evidence did not establish a link between the Veteran's current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found no new evidence to reopen the previously denied claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inconsistencies in the medical evidence regarding the Veteran's respiratory disorder and pleural plaques.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including peripheral artery disease, respiratory disorder, benign prostatic hypertrophy, depression, gouty arthritis, congestive heart failure, drug-induced dyspepsia, and dyslipidemia, were denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during service or a link to service. The Veteran's claims for PTSD are also denied.

The Board denied service connection for COPD and coronary artery disease, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between the claimed conditions and service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and denied service connection for a chronic lung disorder. The appellant's hepatitis C was incurred in active service, while his chronic lung disorder is not related to service.

The Veteran's lower back strain prior to September 26, 2003 is rated at 10 percent.,The Veteran's lower back strain beginning September 26, 2003 is rated at 20 percent.,The Veteran's COPD was rated at 10 percent prior to March 13, 2008. Beginning March 13, 2008, the rating for COPD increased to more than 60 percent.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current COPD or atrial fibrillation to his service, and thus denied service connection for both conditions.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development of evidence related to the veteran's claim for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and interstitial lung disease.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and entitlement to dependency and indemnity compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318, as there was no evidence that a service-connected disability caused or contributed to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for sinusitis, upper respiratory infection, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), peripheral vascular disease of the bilateral lower extremities, and a bilateral hip disorder. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not warrant ratings in excess of 10 percent, and he was found not to be unemployable due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, congestive heart failure (with anasarca and edema), and COPD as they were not etiologically related to active military service, including exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's pulmonary disorder, manifested by adult onset asthma, bronchitis, bronchiectasis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with respiratory failure, is service-connected as it had its onset during service.

The Board reopened the claim for service connection for respiratory condition, but ultimately denied it based on the evidence not showing a relationship to service.

The veteran's COPD with pulmonary tuberculosis and bronchial asthma did not result in symptoms that were intractable and totally incapacitating, with dyspnea at rest or marked dyspnea and cyanosis on mild exertion, prior to October 7, 1996.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and entitlement to accrued benefits due to a lack of evidence linking the Veteran's service-connected disabilities to his death, as well as the untimely filing of the claim for accrued benefits.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal seeking service connection for COPD, and the Board has no further jurisdiction in this matter.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, as COPD was not shown to be related to his military service.