COPD Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's current respiratory disorders did not manifest during or as a result of military service, including exposure to cold or asbestos. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that his COPD and other lung conditions are related to military service.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence does not provide a reasonable possibility of substantiating any of the Veteran's claims for service connection related to Agent Orange exposure. As such, the original decisions denying these claims remain final.

The Veteran's cause of death, cardiorespiratory arrest due to pulmonary disease, is not etiologically related to service.

The Board has determined that the Appellant does not meet the criteria for special monthly death pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound due to her disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lung disability, diagnosed as COPD, is not due to disease or injury incurred in service. The claim for service connection for asbestosis was also denied.

The Board granted service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the left leg, skin disorder (X-linked ichthyosis), and respiratory disorder (bronchitis and COPD). Service connection was denied for gastrointestinal disorder, sinusitis, defective hearing in the right ear, and perforated left ear drum.

The Board has determined that further development is needed in connection with the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, diabetes, and a back disorder. The case is REMANDED to obtain relevant medical records and schedule the Veteran for VA examinations to determine the nature and likely etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran seeks service connection for COPD, including complaints of pneumonia and bronchitis. The case is REMANDED as the July 2009 VA examination report did not provide an opinion on the etiology of his COPD.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing VA treatment records and Social Security Administration records, as well as the need for a medical opinion regarding the cause of death.

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected disability pension benefits is denied because he did not serve during a period of war, and therefore does not meet the legal criteria for entitlement to such benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death was at least as likely as not related to service, specifically exposure to asbestos during military service. As a result, the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because he died during the pendency of his appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, COPD, connective tissue disease with high fevers, and a skin disorder with scars, all of which were deemed not related to his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board has determined that a VA opinion is necessary to address the Veteran's death and whether his service-connected disabilities were the cause or contributed substantially to it.

The Board has ordered remand for further development regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for COPD and an initial rating for residuals of lung cancer with lobectomy, history of bronchopleural fistula and pneumothorax. The case will be returned to the AOJ for readjudication.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities did not begin in service or until many years after service, and are not linked to any established in-service injury, disease, or event. Therefore, the claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's COPD is found to be related to his in-service asbestos exposure, and service connection for COPD is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining SSA disability records and VA treatment records related to the Veteran's pulmonary disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute to his death from multi-lobular pneumonia, which was caused by MRSA and COPD. The Board found that the Veteran's COPD and smoking were more likely the primary causes of his death.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and bronchitis, finding new and material evidence. The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have been incurred in service.