COPD decisions — 2011

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death was not caused or contributed to by a service-connected disability, and denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The VA denied service connection for COPD and asthma, finding that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for hypertension. The Veteran's hypertension is found to be incurred in active military service.

The Veteran died from lobar pneumonia with contributing causes of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and tobacco use. The cause of death does not meet the criteria for VA burial benefits as he was not in receipt of VA compensation or pension at the time of his death, nor did he die while hospitalized by VA.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the appellant's current respiratory disorders are related to asbestos exposure in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a pulmonary disability, including COPD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board finds that there is no evidence of a chronic respiratory disorder due to an undiagnosed illness during service or continuity of symptomatology post-service. The Veteran's current COPD is attributed to her smoking history, not service.

The Veteran's COPD with an asthmatic component was rated at 30 percent prior to December 28, 2006 and increased to 60 percent thereafter. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet criteria for higher ratings based on severity of his condition.

The Board found that there is no evidence showing a direct or service-connected relationship between the Veteran's service and his death. The cause of death was listed as pneumonia, with other conditions contributing to death but not resulting in the underlying cause.

The Veteran's death was caused by dissecting aortic aneurysm and peripheral vascular disease, but the service connection for these conditions is denied due to lack of evidence linking them to his military service. The Agent Orange exposure claim is also denied.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a lung disability, including COPD, which he claims was caused by asbestos exposure during his naval service. The Board has determined that the necessary development of evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service asbestos exposure and VA treatment records have not been completed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The case will be reviewed after the development is completed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a duodenal ulcer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) due to lack of competent medical evidence showing current disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and service personnel records. The appellant's claim of service connection for the cause of her husband's death is being reviewed.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and there is no evidence of a service connection for hepatitis C. The cause of death was attributed to pneumonia complications due to COPD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations. The issues of increased evaluation for pulmonary tuberculosis, service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lumbar spine disorder, and osteoporosis are pending.

The Veteran's cause of death was not service-connected, as the evidence does not establish that his Hepatitis C or other conditions were incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a lung disorder, including as due to exposure to Agent Orange. The case is remanded for further development and an examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lung disabilities were not incurred in service, as there was no evidence of asbestos exposure during his active military service. The claim is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lung disability is not related to his in-service treatment for pneumonia and thus denied service connection.