COPD Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death, COPD, was not related to service and denied the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that COPD and CAD were not caused or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current lung conditions are related to his service, including exposure to asbestos, lead or chromium paint chips and burning nylon.

The VA denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his respiratory disability, finding that his FEV-1 and DLCO did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran claims service connection for respiratory disorders, including asthma and COPD. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his respiratory conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for COPD has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and remanded it for further development. The Appellant contends that the Veteran was exposed to asbestos, weed-killing chemicals, CN gas, and CS gas during his service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has remanded the case for several reasons, including obtaining missing service treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The Veteran's claims for earlier effective date for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance, as well as his service connection claims for cystic bronchiectasis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), are now pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected multiple myeloma did not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or permanently housebound due to his nonservice-connected conditions, such as dementia and COPD. Therefore, SMC based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status is denied.

The Veteran's current gout disability had its onset in service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The issue of COPD is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's COPD is related to his active service, specifically the in-service experience with recoilless weapons that emitted toxic fumes without breathing protection.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with restrictive lung disease and obstructive sleep apnea, both of which are found to be related to his service-connected ankylosing spondylitis. However, the Veteran's COPD is not currently diagnosed.

The Board has remanded the appeal for additional development, including obtaining financial information from the appellant and requesting a medical opinion regarding the cause of death.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD due to exposure to Agent Orange has been reopened, but the evidence does not establish a direct link between his current condition and service.,The Veteran's essential tremors were diagnosed after service and are not considered presumptively related to herbicide exposure. The VA examination confirmed the diagnosis of essential tremors.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, verifying in-service asbestos exposure, and providing a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current pleural plaques. The Veteran's claims are pending.

The VA determined that the Veteran's service-connected schizophrenia did not contribute to his death, and neither did any other service-connected condition. The Board agreed with this determination.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings were denied as there was no evidence of a compensable manifestation of coronary artery disease or tuberculosis prior to December 14, 2009. The Board found that the earliest date upon which VA had constructive possession of evidence showing the Veteran's CAD had manifested to a compensable degree is December 14, 2009.