COPD decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD was denied, and his claims for increased evaluations were also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection due to exposure to Agent Orange or any other presumptive conditions. His combined rating remained at 60 percent.

The Veteran's cause of death was listed as cardiorespiratory arrest due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The Board denied service connection for the cause of death and found that the Veteran did not have qualifying service. As a result, the appellant is not entitled to nonservice-connected death pension benefits or accrued benefits.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine if the Veteran's post-service COPD and coronary atherosclerotic heart disease were related to his service, including herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's respiratory disorder is attributable to bronchial asthma and COPD, known diagnosed illnesses, and is not related to service. Chronic tension headaches were not evident during service or until many years thereafter and are not shown to have been caused by any in-service event.

The Board found that the Veteran's COPD was not incurred in active service nor is it caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability. The claim for service connection for COPD is denied.

The Veteran's accrued compensation benefits held in a PFOP account are denied as the appellant is not eligible to receive them due to her status as a sibling and having been reimbursed for funeral expenses.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder did not cause or contribute to his death. The medical evidence does not support a causal relationship between the Veteran's PTSD and his coronary artery disease, hypertension, or other conditions leading to his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's enuresis, degenerative joint disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were not incurred or aggravated during service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The VA denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a respiratory disorder, finding no evidence linking his current COPD to his inservice respiratory complaints or any other incident of service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a respiratory disability, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, claimed as secondary to his service-connected pulmonary tuberculosis. The case is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding whether the service-connected pulmonary tuberculosis has aggravated the nonservice-connected respiratory disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory disorder, including COPD, pneumonia, and bronchitis, is related to his service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical evidence regarding the appellant's current condition and its impact on her ability to require regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The skin disorder claim for folliculitis is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability. Service connection for the lung disorder (asbestosis and COPD) secondary to asbestosis is remanded due to incomplete medical records.

The Veteran is granted special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to multiple service-connected disabilities. However, he does not qualify for housebound benefits as his combined disability rating exceeds 60%.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death while the case was pending before the Board.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected COPD/bronchitis and for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and left knee disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lung disease, COPD, was not causally linked to any incident of or finding recorded during service, including exposure to asbestos. The claim for service connection for a chronic respiratory disorder is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not cause his death, and the causes of his death (acute myocardial infarction with atherosclerosis) were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal on all issues.

The Board found that the Veteran's liver disability, hepatitis B and C, low back disability, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asbestosis, and major depressive disorder are not related to his service. The diagnoses were attributed to post-service drug use.