COPD Board decisions

The Veteran's cause of death was due to metastatic colon adenocarcinoma and hepatic abscess, with COPD listed as a contributory factor. Service connection for the cause of death is denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service or any service-connected disabilities.

The VA medical opinion determined that the cause of the Veteran's death (pulmonary hypertension, high blood pressure, and emphysema) was not caused by or related to his service-connected disabilities. The examiner also found no evidence of an acquired psychiatric disorder as a result of service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling VA examinations. The claims for left knee strain, anterior cruciate ligament injury and tendon injury, and respiratory/pulmonary disabilities are inextricably intertwined with the current appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including diabetes mellitus, COPD, connective tissue disease with high fevers, and skin disorder with scars, were not incurred or aggravated during his active military service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for any of these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and lung cancer, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his active service or any service-connected disability.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his conditions and military service.

The Veteran's asbestosis is found to be related to his military service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The issue of asthma and COPD remains unresolved.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain medical records and a VA examiner's opinion regarding the Veteran's cause of death.

The Veteran's appeals of the denials of service connection for COPD and a thyroid disorder were not perfected, and the Board lacks jurisdiction to consider these issues.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and Pensacola Naval Air Station medical records. The Veteran's current lung impairments will be evaluated to determine if they are related to his asbestos exposure in service.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a gastrointestinal disability in service or within one year following discharge, and thus cannot be presumed to have been incurred therein.,There is also insufficient evidence linking any current heart disorder to service. The Veteran's separation examination did not reveal any heart issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of sinusitis, but finds in favor of service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active service and he was granted service connection.

The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's current respiratory disorder, including COPD, is related to his military service or exposure to asbestos. The VA examiner opined that the COPD was more likely due to his long-term smoking history.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his lung disabilities.

The Veteran claims service connection for COPD, but the VA examiner found that his current condition is more likely due to tobacco abuse rather than an in-service exposure. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has determined that the service member's sarcoidosis, which was aggravated by his military service and exposure to environmental hazards, contributed substantially or materially to his death. The Board finds in favor of the appellant.

The Veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities, including PTSD with alcohol dependence and degenerative joint diseases of the spine, knee, and foot, have rendered him permanently and totally disabled for pension purposes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for COPD, peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral hearing loss. The evidence did not support a current diagnosis or etiology linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Board finds that the appellant has failed to present evidence showing that VA's care or treatment caused or contributed significantly to the Veteran's death. The medical records indicate multiple health issues, including COPD and coronary artery disease, which were treated by VA prior to his death.