COPD Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further development, including a new VA examination and obtaining relevant treatment records.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence is not new and material, thus denying the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for a pulmonary disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an opinion from a VA examiner regarding whether COPD is related to service-connected histoplasmosis and if so, whether it is proximately due to or the result of that condition.

The Board has granted service connection for a respiratory disorder, including asthma and COPD, finding that the condition is at least as likely as not related to service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current pulmonary/respiratory disability, diagnosed as COPD and asbestos-related pleural disease, is not related to his in-service exposure to asbestos. The VA examiner determined it less likely than not that the Veteran's respiratory disorders are due to his short period of service exposure.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and the claims for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1310 and accrued benefits were denied.

The Board found that the appellant's claimed conditions were not incurred or aggravated by his active service, and no presumptive exposure to herbicides is applicable. The claims for COPD, liver disability, skin cancer, and bladder and kidney disability are all denied.

The Veteran's cause of death was not related to his military service, and there were no pending claims for accrued benefits at the time of his death.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and left the issue of COPD for accrued benefits pending.

The Veteran's chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, including emphysema, was incurred in service and is granted as service connection. The rating for residuals of spontaneous pneumothorax with thickened pleura in the right apex remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected conditions or exposure to asbestos in service caused his death. The appellant is also provided with new notice letter and an opportunity to submit additional evidence.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, and no service connection was granted.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for residuals of a pneumovax shot resulting in COPD and diabetes mellitus, finding no evidence linking these conditions to the vaccine.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board found that the Veteran's diagnosed chronic bronchitis and COPD were not incurred or aggravated in service, as there is no evidence of a current disability related to military service. The claim was denied on the basis that his lung conditions are caused by smoking.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining the Veteran's complete service treatment records and post-service treatment records. The VA examiner is to provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's cirrhosis was related to active service or any incident of service, and if so, whether it contributed substantially or materially to his death from pneumonia complications and severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral vascular disease, initial compensable evaluation for COPD, and initial compensable evaluation for chronic maxillary and ethmoid sinusitis. The appeals were decided on the basis that there was no evidence of a current diagnosis or sufficient medical support to establish these conditions as being related to military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's COPD and coronary artery disease with hypertension and angina are not related to his military service, including exposure to toxic gas or bronchitis during service. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disability, back disability, and gastrointestinal disability are not supported by the evidence of record. The preponderance of the evidence is against finding a link between these conditions and the Veteran's period of active military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetic retinopathy, hypertension, and heart disease due to exposure to Agent Orange. The remaining claims are being remanded.