COPD decisions — 2009

The Board denied service connection for COPD, a heart disability and sleep apnea as they were not shown to be related to the veteran's military service or any incident therein.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, eligibility for VA nonservice-connected death pension benefits, and entitlement to accrued benefits.

The evidence received since the March 1988 rating decision that denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death is not new and material, and the claim has not been reopened.

The veteran's claims for service connection for chloracne, headaches, myalgia, COPD and bipolar disorder were denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis of chloracne, and the other conditions are not related to his military service or herbicide exposure.

The Board denied service connection for lung disease to include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, as the condition was not shown during service and there is no competent evidence linking it to an injury or event in service.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, coronary artery disease, and a chronic respiratory disorder. The veteran's hypertension was also not increased in severity beyond its natural progression.

The Board denied service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and emphysema, finding that these conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, to include in-service asbestos exposure and exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death and dependents' indemnity compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318, as the evidence did not establish that the veteran's service-connected PTSD caused or substantially contributed to his death, nor was there any other relationship between the veteran's service and the causes of his death.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, including COPD and emphysema, as there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that resulted in chronic disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, to include COPD and emphysema, as there was no competent evidence of full body exposure to mustard gas or that these conditions were causally related to his active service.

The Board remands the claim for a VA examination and medical opinion regarding the etiology of any pulmonary disease, as there is insufficient evidence to make a decision on the claim.

The Board remands the claims for additional development as new evidence has been received since the last SSOC.

The veteran's generalized anxiety disorder was rated at 30% from December 8, 1998, to November 18, 2002; 50% from November 19, 2002, to January 27, 2003; and 70% from January 28, 2003, to March 8, 2006. The veteran's bronchitis with COPD was rated at 10%. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was granted effective March 9, 2006.

The veteran's COPD was not related to his period of service, including any exposure to asbestos.

The veteran's application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a lung disorder was denied as new and material evidence was not presented.

The Board remands the issues of service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung nodules due to herbicide exposure for further development, including a VA examination.

The Board remands the claim for further development to determine if the veteran was exposed to asbestos or radiation during service and to obtain a medical opinion regarding the etiology of COPD.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a lung disability, finding no medical evidence linking his current conditions to his military service.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date was denied as the RO assigned the earliest possible effective date, which is the date of receipt of the application to reopen, November 15, 2005.