COPD decisions — 2011

The Veteran's death is being reviewed for potential service connection, but the VA has not determined if he was exposed to asbestos during his military service. The case is being remanded to gather this information and provide a medical opinion on whether any asbestos exposure played a role in his death.

The Veteran's COPD with an asthmatic component is granted as service connected, based on the evidence showing a current disability that had its onset during his active duty.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disorder, including asthma and COPD with complications due to medication, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing conditions were not aggravated by his military service.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for athlete's foot and a respiratory condition, including COPD and emphysema, due to service-connected sinusitis. The Veteran's eye disorder is not related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims due to the need for additional development and evidence, including VA examinations and records from various Federal custodians.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing right knee disability was aggravated during his second period of active duty service, and thus service connection for a right knee disability is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Pneumonitis and COPD, as well as Bowen's Disease, due to exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicide agents were denied. The diseases are not considered presumptively associated with such exposure.,Service connection was also denied for Bowen's Disease on a direct basis.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of his COPD and restrictive lung disease, as well as the severity of any respiratory impairment due to service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claimed conditions are not service-connected as they were not shown during his active duty service from 1963 to 1966, and there is no evidence of their onset or aggravation due to such service. The disorders are more likely related to the Veteran's National Guard service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records from January 2006 onwards and readjudicating the claims.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Capital Regional Medical Center on February 3, 2011 were denied as the care was not rendered for a service-connected disability or one associated therewith. VA facilities were found to be feasibly available.

The Board found that the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a respiratory disorder were denied. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service stressors or a link between current conditions and military service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for COPD with bronchiectasis was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's left foot osteoarthritis is found to have likely had its onset in service and persists since separation.,There is no evidence of a respiratory disorder present during service or for many years thereafter, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that it is related to service.

The Board found no evidence of a respiratory disorder in service or until many years after discharge, and concluded that the Veteran's current COPD with emphysema is more likely related to his smoking history rather than service. As such, the appeal was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further action, including scheduling a hearing and clarifying the appellant's representation status.

The Veteran's respiratory disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The claim is denied.

The Veteran's death was found to be service-connected, and the appellant submitted a timely claim for accrued benefits. The Board finds that the appellant's claim of entitlement to special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance is granted.

The Veteran's cause of death was advanced dementia, which is not service-connected. The other conditions contributing to his death (COPD, CAD, and seizure disorder) are also not service-connected. The Veteran did not meet the requirements for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if the Veteran's service-connected COPD contributed substantially or materially to his death from lung cancer.