COPD decisions — 2014

The Board found that a lung disease to include COPD was not shown to have had onset during service and is unrelated to an injury, disease, or event in service to include exposure to asbestos.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and the appellant did not meet the eligibility requirements for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current COPD is not related to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection, finding that there was no evidence of a right knee disability or heart disability due to in-service herbicide exposure. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and left knee disabilities were found not to warrant higher ratings.

The Board denied service connection for COPD and chronic respiratory disease due to asbestos exposure as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service or any other form of exposure.

The Board has determined that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss, heart disease, hypertension, vertigo, or lung disease manifested during active duty service or in the year after separation from active duty service; or is related to exposure to radiation during service. Therefore, these claims for service connection are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for COPD and service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding the connection between the Veteran's service and his cause of death.

The Veteran's death is due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and haemophilus influenza pneumonia. The cause of the Veteran's death is being reviewed, along with whether his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder and/or malaria contributed to or caused his COPD and/or pneumonia.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion from Dr. Rivera regarding the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's lung disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims, including obtaining SSA records and private treatment records.

The Board found that there was no evidence linking the Veteran's service-connected conditions to his death, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's lung disability, to include COPD, was not caused or aggravated by service. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against the claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's cause of death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the evidence does not support a grant of service connection for COPD, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, diabetes mellitus, or head injury. The Veteran is entitled to increased evaluations for focal pain syndrome with severe migraine headaches and post-traumatic scar of the left forehead.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD has been dismissed as the claim is no longer pending due to a settlement agreement that granted service connection for PTSD and related disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorders, including degenerative disc disease and spinal fusion, are not related to his military service.,Regarding the respiratory disorder other than asthma (COPD), the VA examiner concluded it is not due to or caused by or exacerbated by his military service.

The Board denied service connection for lung disability, including COPD and pulmonary fibrosis, to include as due to asbestos exposure, based on the lack of medical evidence linking any current lung disorder to service.

The Veteran's COPD is not related to in-service chemical exposure, including herbicide exposure, or to service in any other way. The claim for service connection for COPD is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current COPD was not present in service or until many years thereafter and is not related to service, including to asbestos exposure. Therefore, the claim for service connection for COPD was denied.