COPD Board decisions

The Board found that the appellant did not have a chronic respiratory condition in service and his COPD is not otherwise related to active service, including potential exposure to toxic substances.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed disabilities, including coronary artery disease, COPD, chronic bronchitis, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, are not service-connected due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The presumptive provisions for Agent Orange exposure do not apply as these conditions are not listed among those diseases presumed to be associated with such exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need for VA examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and a respiratory disorder, finding no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service.,Service connection was also denied for headaches secondary to hypertension and sleep apnea as secondary to the respiratory disorder.

The Board has determined that additional medical records are needed and a VA examination is required to determine the relationship between the veteran's current pulmonary disability, including any asbestos-related condition, and his service. The case is being remanded for these purposes.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to new and material evidence. However, the VA examiner concluded that the veteran's service-connected disabilities did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder, respiratory disorder, and eye disorder as residuals of mustard gas exposure due to lack of evidence of full-body exposure during active duty.

The veteran's claim for specially adapted housing and a special home adaptation grant was denied as he does not meet the requirements for these benefits due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right shoulder, traumatic arthritis, and COPD disabilities are not service-connected. The cervical and lumbar spine disabilities were found to be not related to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected conditions did not cause or contribute to his death, and thus denied both the claim for service connection for the cause of death and DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

The Board found that the veteran's death was due to a combination of cardiovascular risks, including coronary artery disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The service-connected diabetes mellitus did not contribute materially or substantially to his cause of death.

The Board found that the veteran's COPD was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim for service connection. The issue of compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for residuals of a cerebrovascular disorder, heart attack, pneumonia, chronic renal failure, and a visual field loss as a result of surgery performed during hospitalization at a VA facility between December 1998 and February 1999 is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, disability of the feet and ankles, spinal stenosis, and bilateral hip disability - avascular necrosis due to lack of evidence of a current disability.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a lung disability related to his military service.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of his claims for increased COPD rating and service connection for lung cancer.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for major depressive disorder, residuals of a head injury, and COPD including as due to asbestos exposure. The VA examiners found no direct link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to clarify whether the veteran's COPD existed prior to his period of active duty training in September 1986, or was initially manifested during that tour of duty.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded to the RO for further development, including additional medical inquiry. The case will be returned to the Board for further consideration.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that there is no competent evidence linking his COPD to asbestos exposure or toxic fumes in service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to missing service medical records and a lack of VA treatment records from 1972 to August 2000.