COPD Board decisions

The Board is remanding the case to determine if the Veteran’s service-connected bronchial asthma/COPD contributed to his death from esophageal cancer.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lung disorders, including COPD and carcinoid tumor, are not related to his service or asbestos exposure. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were caused by his active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current COPD is not related to his military service, including any alleged asbestos exposure. The most probative evidence of record does not support a connection between the Veteran's current condition and his time in active duty.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new examination and review of medical records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the newly gathered evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address his claims of service connection for various conditions, including a pulmonary disability and an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a low back disability, left hip disability, or sleep apnea. The claims for service connection for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, sleep apnea, and Barrett's esophagus were denied as there is no evidence of a link between these conditions and his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current disability for any of his claimed conditions and thus denied service connection for neck/cervical spine disorder, low back disorder, and COPD.

The Veteran's thoracic aortic aneurysm was surgically repaired and is not considered service-connected. The Board found no evidence linking the other conditions to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a personal hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The Veteran's cause of death was due to sepsis, anemia, pneumonia, renal failure, and COPD. The appellant seeks service connection for these conditions as well as the aggravation of her service-connected discoid lupus erythematosus. The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional opinions regarding these issues.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and posterior wall prolapse of the mitral valve and mitral regurgitation. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at the Cookeville Regional Medical Center on April 8, 2010, were not authorized by VA and did not meet the criteria for reimbursement under Veterans Millennium Health Care and Benefits Act or the Veterans' Millennium Health Care and Benefits Act.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional evidentiary development, including obtaining medical records from his active duty service and any relevant VA or private treatment records. The case will be readjudicated after the development.

The Veteran's claim for payment of unauthorized medical care provided at Medina General Hospital on October 13, 2009 is being remanded due to the need for further development and review.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development, including obtaining additional VA treatment records, arranging for new examinations, and considering whether staged ratings are appropriate.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder and an increased rating for residuals of head injury. The reduction in the rating for residuals of head injury was found to be improper.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and the appellant is not entitled to DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.