COPD decisions — 2009

The appeal is being remanded for additional development to ensure compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA) and other procedural requirements.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD and COPD was remanded to schedule a videoconference hearing.

The Board remands the case for another attempt to resolve the medical issues outstanding, specifically requesting a detailed examination and opinion regarding the etiology of any respiratory disorder in relation to service and asbestos exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, a bilateral knee disability, bilateral flat feet, COPD, and a lumbar spine disability as there was no evidence to support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active naval service.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), head sores, and a skin rash as the evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions were related to the Veteran's military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including asthma and COPD, as the preponderance of evidence was against finding that his respiratory condition began during active duty or is otherwise related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for deep vein thrombosis of the left leg, sleep apnea, and post-traumatic stress disorder as there was no competent medical evidence establishing a link to active service.

The veteran's COPD and pulmonary fibrosis were denied service connection as they are not cancers, radiogenic diseases, or the result of exposure to ionizing radiation during active service.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development and adjudication of the service connection claims.

The veteran's claims for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with fibrosis, a right shoulder disorder, bilateral lower extremity claudication, post-traumatic stress disorder, porphyria cutanea tarda, and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded for further development.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not related to any service-connected disabilities, and denied entitlement to dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) benefits.

The Board denied service connection for heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine. However, it granted service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) based on new and material evidence.

The case was remanded to obtain a medical opinion on whether any of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or contributed substantially or materially to his death from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and congestive heart failure.

The Board reopens the claim for service connection for a lung disorder, including COPD (claimed as pulmonary artery disease, asbestosis, COPD, and emphysema), but denies the underlying service connection claim.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine condition, lumbar spine condition, bilateral shoulder disorders and COPD are being remanded for additional medical evidence.

The Board denied service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and heart disease, finding no evidence of a relationship between the veteran's military service and these conditions.

The Board found no competent evidence of a nexus between the veteran's current pulmonary disorder and his service, including any exposure to nerve agents.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a lung disorder was previously denied, and he is now seeking to reopen the claim with new and material evidence.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for a VA examination to determine if the veteran's heart conditions are proximately due to, the result of, or chronically aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, residuals of a shrapnel wound of the left upper back, a left arm disability, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with asthma, bilateral hearing loss, and heart disease were denied.