COPD decisions — 2010

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection of a respiratory disorder, to include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for jaw fracture residuals and paresthesia of the left chin were also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD and asthma, finding that the appellant's current respiratory disability is due to in-service exposure. The issue of an increased evaluation for asthma remains pending.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder is related to his period of active military service and the claim for this condition is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100% evaluation for service-connected minimal inactive pulmonary tuberculosis with COPD, finding that the evidence prior to May 17, 1999 did not warrant such a rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is caused or aggravated by his service-connected asbestosis, and thus grants service connection for COPD.

The Board found that the Veteran's respiratory disorder, including asthma and COPD, was incurred in active service due to aggravation of a preexisting condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's COPD, BPH, hypertension, and sleep apnea are not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that another remand is necessary to clarify the etiology of the Veteran's current respiratory disorders, specifically whether his in-service asthma continued or resolved.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and restrictive interstitial lung disease, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his military service. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, specifically various fracture disabilities sustained during an in-service motor vehicle accident, did not cause or contribute substantially to his death from atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

The Board has denied service connection for acquired heart disease, COPD, neck disability, back disability, and psychiatric disability to include depression. The appellant is seeking service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and treatment records, specifically regarding pulmonary function tests including DLCO (SB).

The Board found no credible evidence of exposure to asbestos or mustard gas during service, and the Veteran's lung disease was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to PTSD and denied DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318, finding that neither condition was related to his military service.

The Veteran's cause of death was not service-connected as the underlying condition did not arise from his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic sinusitis and COPD, finding that there is evidence to support these conditions began during his military service.

The Board has ordered additional development of the claims, including obtaining medical records and information from SSA. The veteran's service connection claims for hypertension, arthritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and COPD are being remanded to allow for further review.

The Veteran's cause of death was listed as multisystem failure due to status post-repair abdominal aortic aneurysm and severe COPD. The appellant contends that PTSD contributed to his death, but the Board finds insufficient evidence in the record to support this claim.

The Board denied service connection for COPD and a disorder manifested by left swollen veins, finding that there was no evidence of asbestos exposure or other risk factors related to these conditions.,There is no direct evidence linking the Veteran's current COPD and swollen veins to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected cold injuries are considered to have contributed to his peripheral vascular disease, which in turn contributed to the cause of death due to lung cancer and pneumonia.