COPD decisions — 2010

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for the cause of death and basic eligibility for Dependents' Education Assistance (DEA) under Chapter 35. The immediate causes of the Veteran's death were coronary artery disease and atherosclerosis, with significant contributing conditions including diabetes mellitus and COPD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute to his death. The appellant has not established that she had an unadjudicated claim for accrued benefits at the time of her husband's death.

The Veteran's cause of death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and the Board denied service connection for the cause of death.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for lung disease, to include asthma and COPD. The Veteran's claims were denied as there was no evidence of a lung disorder during or caused by his military service.

The Veteran's cause of death was cardiorespiratory arrest due to cerebrovascular accident and hypertensive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.,VA denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and for nonservice-connected death pension benefits.

The Board finds that the Veteran's cause of death (respiratory failure, hypoxemia, and COPD) was not related to his active service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that any service-connected disability caused or contributed substantially or materially to the cause of death.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred in service and is not related to his active duty. The lung condition, diagnosed as COPD, did not manifest during service or within one year of separation from service.,There is no evidence linking the Veteran's current lung condition (COPD) to his military service, including exposure to herbicides. The neuropathy of the left upper extremity was not present in service and has not been linked to service.,The Veteran's claimed neuropathy of the left upper extremity did not manifest during service or within one year after separation from service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's restrictive component of his lung disability is more likely than not caused by his service-connected ankylosing spondylitis, and grants service connection for this condition. However, the COPD itself is not shown to be caused or aggravated by the service-connected ankylosing spondylitis.

The Board has granted service connection for asbestosis, finding that the Veteran's current respiratory condition is causally related to his in-service asbestos exposure. The COPD issue remains unresolved.

The VA determined that the Veteran's current respiratory disorder, including COPD, is not related to his service exposure to asbestos.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including COPD and bilateral pes planus, do not render him unemployable as his education and occupational experience allow for substantially gainful employment.

The Board has redenominated the issue of service connection for pulmonary tuberculosis, bronchiectasis, and COPD for purposes of accrued benefits to reflect that these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service. The claims were denied as there was no qualifying service for pension benefits.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not due to negligent treatment received at VA facilities, and therefore denied DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lung disorder was denied as there is no competent evidence linking the current COPD to service.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability. Claims for accrued benefits were denied as the Veteran did not meet the criteria for such benefits at the time of his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's narcolepsy was incurred in service, and his psychiatric disorder is secondary to his service-connected sleep apnea. The respiratory disorder claim is denied as there is no evidence of a current COPD.

The Board denied all service connection claims, finding that the Veteran's conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service and are not related to any service-connected disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a generalized anxiety disorder and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), finding that these conditions are etiologically related to active service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and exposure verification.