COPD decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that there is no diagnosis of asbestosis in the record, and thus service connection for asbestosis cannot be granted. The COPD and calcified hilar nodes are not related to service or asbestos exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD did not contribute substantially and materially to his death, as it was merely a significant condition contributing to death. The causes of death (acute myelogenous leukemia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, coronary artery disease) were not shown to be related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran died from UTI with E. coli and yeast, which was attributed to progressive renal failure, COPD, and diabetes mellitus.,Service connection for the cause of death is denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service. However, DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is granted due to an adverse drug reaction.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have active tuberculosis and therefore, cannot establish service connection for this condition. The claim is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, respiratory condition (COPD and asbestosis), right great toe injury residuals, and left hip condition. The decision also noted that his PTSD symptoms did not meet criteria for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent.

The Veteran's cause of death is determined to be caused by his service-connected coronary artery disease, which was presumed due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The appellant is therefore granted DIC benefits.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by or substantially contributed to by a disability incurred in or aggravated by active service. The appellant is also not entitled to non-service-connected death pension benefits due to lack of qualifying service and accrued benefits because her claim was untimely filed.

The Veteran's lung disability other than asbestosis was not present in service and is not etiologically related to service. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for withdrawal prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to his military service.

The VA determined that the Veteran's COPD is not attributable to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for various conditions was received on December 20, 2007. The appellant seeks accrued benefits based on this claim, but the Veteran died before the next month and thus there is no potential for an award.

The Veteran's claims of COPD, heart disability, and diabetes mellitus were denied as they are not service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and inadequate notice under VCAA. The Veteran died from acute myeloid leukemia, with pneumonia as a significant condition contributing to death.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to organic brain syndrome, which is considered a contributory cause of death. The rating assigned was 100% for cognitive disorder due to head injury.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hypertension and COPD was dismissed due to his death.

The Board has determined that additional information is needed to make a decision on the appellant's DIC and cause of death claims, including obtaining medical records from SSA and reviewing the service member's medical history for any potential service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected interstitial lung disease with COPD and migraine headaches, combined with his need for regular aid and attendance due to his vocal cord polyps and laryngeal cancer, meet the criteria for special monthly compensation at the housebound rate.

The Board found that the Veteran's COPD was incurred in active duty due to exposure to environmental hazards during service, particularly burn pits.

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death, COPD, was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected conditions and thus denied the claim for service connection.