COPD decisions — 2009

The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for respiratory disability, as there was no direct link to military service and the condition first manifested many years after service.

The Board remands the veteran's claims to reopen for service connection for a low back disorder and pulmonary disorder due to insufficient notice provided by the RO.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and sleep apnea, as well as his attempt to reopen a claim for a respiratory disorder other than COPD and sleep apnea.

The claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened based on new and material evidence, but the claims for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and renal cell carcinoma were denied as there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claims for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred on December 23, 2006 and March 9, 2007 were denied as the treatment was not for a condition that would have been hazardous to life or health if delayed.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for a respiratory disability as secondary to the Veteran's duodenal ulcer and also denied a higher rating for his duodenal ulcer.

The Veteran's conversion reaction was rated at 30 percent, while parotiditis and bilateral cavus foot were denied service connection. COPD and asbestosis claims were remanded.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, COPD, and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran was also found not eligible for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance or due to being housebound.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding no relationship between his service-connected disabilities and his chronic obstructive pulmonary disease that led to his death.

The case is being remanded for additional development to obtain a September 2008 addendum and to readjudicate the Veteran's claim.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an earlier effective date for additional death pension benefits based on a need for aid and attendance, as the evidence did not show that she was in need of regular aid and attendance prior to July 22, 2002.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disability, finding no evidence that the Veteran's condition was incurred in or aggravated by his active service or due to exposure to herbicides or asbestos during his active service.

The Board granted service connection for tinea cruris, finding that the evidence established a current disability and a nexus to service. The claim for COPD was denied as there is no evidence linking it to active service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's death, which was the result of respiratory failure and underlying causes of COPD and pneumonia, is associated with his service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that diabetes mellitus played a material causal role in his death.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen a claim for service connection for heart disease and denied entitlement to service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, lung disease, and residuals of exposure to solvents, thinners, and paint due to a lack of evidence showing that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board concluded that there is no medical basis for linking the Veteran's cause of death to his period of service, and denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based upon the need of regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound was denied as he did not meet the criteria.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for COPD and emphysema as they were not related to the Veteran's military service, and a service-connected disability did not cause or contribute substantially or materially to the Veteran's death.