COPD decisions — 2012

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions and records from Social Security Administration.

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death (COPD) was not caused by his active military service and denied the claim for service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran's COPD was aggravated by exposure to contaminated oxygen, leading to worsening of his condition. The kidney tumor is considered secondary to this exposure. No heart disability has been established.

The Veteran's tuberculosis claim is denied as there is no current diagnosis. The reductions in disability ratings for COPD and sinusitis are also denied due to lack of evidence showing improvement or change in the disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected COPD and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities have rendered him unable to use his feet, meeting the criteria for assistance in providing an automobile and adaptive equipment.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic respiratory disorder or undiagnosed illness due to service in the Southwest Asia theater. The Veteran's current respiratory symptoms are not related to her military service.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and DIC benefits, finding that COPD and hypertension were not related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's current diagnoses of COPD and emphysema are not due to his exposure to asbestos in service.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for COPD, finding that there is no competent and probative evidence linking the Veteran's current respiratory disorder to his military service or exposure to asbestos.

The VA examiner determined that the Veteran's COPD is not related to service and was due to his long-term smoking history. As a result, the claim for service connection for COPD has been denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the Veteran's COPD is related to his service-connected asbestosis, and to obtain any outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD had its onset in service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for a lung disability, specifically COPD with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. The Veteran's active duty service is found to have at least partly contributed to his current respiratory condition.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a cold injury and tinnitus, but denied the Veteran's claims for left knee disability, right knee disability, and COPD. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death was not caused or contributed to by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's lung disorder, including asbestosis and COPD, is being remanded for further examination to determine if it is related to his in-service work as a welder.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple gastrointestinal and pulmonary disabilities that he claims are secondary to his service-connected GERD. The Board is unable to determine the appropriate disposition of these issues due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including anxiety disorder and COPD, were denied. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic respiratory disorder present in service and concluded that the Veteran's current COPD and asbestosis are not related to his military service.