COPD decisions — 2009

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and denied DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318, finding that there was no medical evidence or opinion linking the Veteran's COPD and pneumonia to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder did not cause his death, and therefore denied service connection for the cause of his death.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for COPD with emphysema and denied entitlement to service connection for CAD as secondary to COPD. The evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's current respiratory diagnoses are not attributable to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his military service and thus denied all of his claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and Type II diabetes mellitus, finding no evidence of exposure to herbicides or oil fires during service, and noting that there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is not related to his military service, including exposure to Agent Orange. The claim for service connection is denied.

The VA determined that the Veteran's current COPD is not related to his active military service.

The case is being remanded for the RO to obtain a complete copy of the Veteran's March 2004 death certificate and consider additional evidence, including a lay witness statement by Ms. E.T. submitted in November 2007.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a respiratory disorder, including mediastinal lymphadenopathy and COPD, which he claims are related to in-service asbestos exposure. The case is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cause of death and accrued benefits due to lack of evidence showing a direct relationship between his military service and his health conditions, including lung cancer.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran was exposed to asbestos during service and whether his current COPD is related to such exposure. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the submission of additional evidence that has not been considered by the RO.

The VA determined that the Veteran's current respiratory disorders, including COPD and pulmonary hypertension, are not related to his military service or inservice asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound is denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Board hearing.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a respiratory disorder, including as secondary to herbicide exposure, was denied by the RO. The Board found that there is no evidence of current respiratory disorders and that the preponderance of the evidence is against finding any such conditions are related to service or herbicide exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD did not cause or contribute substantially to his death, and concluded that COPD was the primary cause of death. The appellant argued that PTSD contributed to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The decision found that there was no asbestos exposure in service and insufficient evidence to establish a link between current COPD and service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and securing SSA disability decision documents. A VA examination will be arranged to determine the etiology of COPD.