COPD decisions — 2012

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board found that the prior award of benefits for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, congestive heart failure, and diabetes mellitus was based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE), and thus terminated entitlement to these benefits.

The Board found that the Veteran's respiratory disorders, including COPD and bronchial asthma, were not incurred in or aggravated by service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has requested a medical opinion and remanded the case for further development. The Veteran's claim of service connection for respiratory disability, including COPD and asbestosis, is being returned to the RO for readjudication.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD must be developed and adjudicated by the originating agency before deciding the issue on appeal. The case is being remanded to allow this development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lung disability, including COPD due to herbicide exposure, and cardiac disability other than ischemic heart disease have been denied. The claim for aid and attendance for the Veteran's spouse has also been denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including as due to asbestos exposure was denied because there is no competent medical evidence showing a causal relationship between his current respiratory problems and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of pneumonia or its residuals, and therefore service connection for a pulmonary disorder including pneumonia is denied. The claim for residuals of a right hand injury will be remanded to the AOJ.

The Veteran's pulmonary disabilities are being remanded for a VA examination to determine their etiology, including whether they are related to service-connected ischemic heart disease and/or exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board denied service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as the Veteran's COPD first manifested after service and is not related to any aspect of his service, including exposure to insecticide.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death, arteriosclerotic heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary emphysema, was not related to his military service. The evidence does not show any in-service occurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bladder cancer and found that the Veteran's current respiratory disability, COPD, is related to his in-service exposure to asbestos. The Veteran's bladder cancer was determined to have been incurred in service.

The Veteran's lung disability, including COPD and emphysema, was not incurred in service. The claim for special monthly pension based on aid and attendance or housebound status is also denied.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical opinions and records in order to determine if the Veteran's current lung disorder is related to his service, specifically exposure to chemicals or asbestos.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a lung disability, including COPD, which he claims is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The VA has determined that further examination and opinion are needed to resolve the claim.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including carcinoma of the liver, COPD, lumbar spondylosis, carpal tunnel syndrome, varicose veins, and weakness of the legs. The decision also addressed nonservice-connected pension and special monthly pension claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and to issue a Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD but denied onychomycosis. The remaining claims are remanded to the RO for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pneumonia and COPD was denied as there is no evidence showing that the conditions were incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding the type of chemicals used by artillery ballistic meteorologists to inflate weather balloons during the Veteran's period of active duty. The Veteran's lung disorder is being evaluated in light of this information.