COPD decisions — 2013

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

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's respiratory disorder. The claim will be returned for further development and consideration.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hepatitis C, PTSD, liver disability, duodenal disability, COPD, throat condition with polyps, and dysentery. The decision also noted that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an additional VA examination to determine if the Veteran's COPD is related to service, including any asbestos exposure. The examiner must provide a rationale for their opinion.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for COPD. The Veteran's exposure to nerve agent VX during active service is conceded, but a VA examination is needed to determine if his current COPD is related to this exposure.

The Veteran's death was caused by myocardial infarction due to or as a consequence of COPD, which is service-connected.,The claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is dismissed because the cause of death is not service-connected.

The Board found that the Veteran's asbestos-related pleural disease is not service-connected and does not warrant a compensable evaluation as it is primarily due to his non-service connected COPD.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for treatment at Teche Regional Medical Center from December 14, 2006 to December 18, 2006 are denied as the condition was deemed stable enough for transfer to a VA facility but he refused.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and finds that new and material evidence has been received. The case is now remanded to the AOJ for further consideration.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and providing a medical opinion regarding the cause of death.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD and bronchitis, finding that the current disabilities are related to in-service asbestos exposure. The Veteran's smoking history is also considered.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current sinus disorder and COPD are related to service.

The Board denied DIC benefits based on service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that no service-connected disability caused or contributed substantially to his death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic respiratory disorder other than pneumonia, including as due to cold weather exposure in Korea, was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection.

The Veteran's lung disability, diagnosed as COPD and emphysema, was first demonstrated many years after service and is not etiologically related to exposure to asbestos or other disease or injury during active duty service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, which includes PTSD, major depression, and anxiety disorder. The Board also found that a cervical/gynecological condition is related to active military service, but did not find any evidence of a respiratory disease due to chemical exposure during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing and considering all submitted evidence.

The Board has ordered the case back to the RO for additional development, including a new VA examination and obtaining relevant medical records. The Veteran's claim of service connection for COPD is remanded due to inadequate findings in the previous VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for COPD and the propriety of the initial rating assigned for asbestos-related pleural disease. The Veteran's COPD is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident in service, including asbestos exposure. Prior to July 16, 2012, his asbestos-related pleural disease did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. Since July 16, 2012, it has not met the criteria for a higher than 10 percent rating.

The Veteran died from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a disability for which service connection had not been established. The appellant's claim for burial benefits was denied as the criteria were not met.