COPD decisions — 2009

The appeal was remanded to obtain additional evidence and provide proper notice.

The Board found that the Veteran's respiratory disability did not warrant a rating in excess of 60 percent prior to April 1, 2008, and that the reduction from 60 percent to noncompensable was proper. The Board also determined that there was no evidence supporting service connection for COPD.

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 (COPD) with asthma.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, dental disability, lower extremity disability, cervical spine disability, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), defective vision, suppurative otitis media, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, headaches, and postoperative hernia scar.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed residuals of streptococcus bovis meningitis due to Strongyloides infestation, gastritis and diverticulitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and cardiovascular and circulatory disorders.

The appeal is remanded for a VA examination to evaluate the nature and etiology of the Veteran's chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, specifically related to his in-service exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was denied as the evidence did not support in-service incurrence or a nexus to service.

The Veteran has abandoned his appeals for service connection for COPD, a heart disorder, and Parkinson's disease due to failure to respond to VA requests for identifying information and medical evidence within one year.

The Veteran's current osteoarthritis of the cervical spine, osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, a seizure disorder, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and sinus problems were not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty military service.

The Board remands the claim for a medical opinion addressing any possible causal link between arteriosclerosis of the dorsal aorta noted on service and the Veteran's death from congestive heart failure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lung disability, to include from exposure to asbestos, as there was no current diagnosis of an asbestos-related pulmonary disorder and the Veteran's diagnosed lung disability first manifested many years after service and is not shown to be related to his service or any incident therein.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, as a service-connected disability did not cause or contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and sleep apnea as they were not shown to be related to the Veteran's active service or his service-connected elevation of the left hemidiaphragm.

The Board finds that the evidence supports entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, as his lung cancer was likely related to asbestos exposure during service.

The appeal is remanded for further development of the record, including obtaining recent VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's COPD.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death and for a lung disability, finding that the disease process leading to the veteran's death was not attributable to his active military service.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, as there was no evidence to support a link between his non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, including arthritis; a digestive disorder, including peptic ulcer disease (PUD); a urinary disorder, including kidney stones; and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), to include as due to in-service tobacco use and/or nicotine dependence.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected spontaneous pneumothorax is asymptomatic, resulting in no functional impairment.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of prostate surgery, diabetes mellitus, a respiratory disease (COPD), and hypothyroidism as they were not related to the Veteran's service. The veteran was also found not entitled to a TDIU.