COPD decisions — 2009

The Veteran's cause of death was not due to a service-connected disability, and there is no evidence linking his terminal conditions to herbicide exposure or any other incident of his service.

The Board found no evidence of a link between the Veteran's current COPD and his military service, resulting in a denial of the claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as he does not have the claimed conditions and there is no evidence linking them to his military service.

The Veteran is granted service connection for headaches. Service connection for sleep apnea and COPD are denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder. The claim is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected bronchial asthma with COPD was increased to a 60 percent rating effective January 17, 2007. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder remains in an 'unknown' status as it is not the primary issue being decided.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service connection claims for various conditions, including hepatitis C, abdominal disability, head injury/concussion, eye injury/abrasion, black widow spider bite, and asbestos exposure-related disabilities. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and COPD, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or relationship to active military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's COPD was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is not entitled to service connection for residuals of an injury to the left third finger or COPD, as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty. The claim was denied.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current hearing loss disability is etiologically related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability. Regarding the respiratory disorder claim, an examination is needed to determine if the appellant's conditions are due to service or other factors.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's respiratory disorder, including residuals of pneumonia, COPD and emphysema, to his service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's COPD and lung nodules were not incurred or aggravated by service, including herbicide exposure. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against his claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's COPD or asbestosis did not result from any in-service exposure to asbestos, and thus denied service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected condition, and the service-connected conditions did not contribute to his death. The issues of service connection for heart disease and hypertension as secondary to PTSD and special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance were denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development of his medical records and a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for a chronic pulmonary disorder to include asthma and COPD claimed as the result of asbestos exposure, finding no evidence that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active service. The Veteran's left tibial fracture residuals have been rated at 20 percent since July 19, 2004.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to clarify the etiology of his COPD and determine if it was incurred during service.

The Board found that the Veteran's claim of service connection for duodenal ulcer was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The claims for COPD and emphysema were denied as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied reopening of the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to lack of new and material evidence. The appellant was also not granted non-service-connected death pension benefits or accrued benefits.