COPD decisions — 2013

The Veteran claims service connection for a pulmonary disorder, including asthma. The Board finds that an examination is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of any currently diagnosed pulmonary disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, claimed as due to asbestos exposure, is denied because there is no medical evidence showing a link between the current condition and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and denied his claim for service connection. The issue of an increased rating for anxiety disorder is being remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran's COPD was not related to his military service, including exposure to asbestos. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's currently diagnosed pulmonary disorder, specifically COPD, was not incurred or aggravated in service and was not due to, or the result of, a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD was denied in August 2004, and no new and material evidence has been received since then. The claim for basal cell cancer of the lip due to herbicide exposure is being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for COPD and Nicotine Dependence in November 2005. The Veteran's claim of service connection for Pulmonary Hypertension was granted on a secondary basis due to his pre-existing orthopedic conditions.,New evidence received since the last denial supports the grant of service connection for Pulmonary Hypertension, but does not support reopening claims for COPD and Nicotine Dependence.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a respiratory disability, including due to asbestos exposure. The case is being remanded for further development and an updated VA examination.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to PTSD, which is considered a direct service-connected condition. The evidence shows that PTSD contributed substantially and materially to the fatal cardiopulmonary disease resulting in his death.

The Veteran's anemia, sterility, and COPD were not manifest in service and are unrelated to any incident of service, including radiation exposure or participation in a 'radiation-risk activity'.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in the previous VA examination and a need for further medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lung diseases, including exposure to asbestos. The claim will be reconsidered after obtaining additional evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory disability, diagnosed as COPD and bronchitis, is not related to service or presumed exposure to herbicides. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's death to his service, and thus denied service connection for the cause of his death.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss during service or for many years after discharge, and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss. The respiratory disorder claim was also denied as there is no indication of exposure to herbicides or other known risk factors. Service connection for PTSD was not granted due to lack of in-service diagnosis.

The Veteran's lung disease, which caused his death, is considered service-connected due to exposures during active service. The appeal for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is dismissed as the Veteran was already entitled to DIC benefits based on service connection.

The Veteran's COPD was rated at 60 percent disabling from February 22, 2006 until November 2, 2010. After that date, the rating remained at 60 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of COPD, finding that there was no evidence to support a causal link between his military service and his current condition.

The Board has found that the evidence supports service connection for COPD. The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include depression must be remanded for further development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.