COPD Board decisions

The VA determined that the veteran's COPD did not start during his military service and could not be presumed to have been caused by exposure to mustard gas or ionizing radiation. The Board found no evidence of an in-service injury leading to COPD.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have laryngeal cancer or COPD as a result of disease or injury incurred during his active military service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and thus denied his claims for DIC benefits and dependent's educational assistance.

The veteran seeks increased ratings for his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder and a new rating for his hypertension. The issues of service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are being remanded.,The veteran is seeking an increase in the evaluation for his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder, which currently results in a 70 percent disability rating effective from August 30, 2005. He also seeks service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as secondary to his PTSD and exposure to Agent Orange.,The veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder is currently rated at 70 percent disabling since August 30, 2005.

The Board has determined that the veteran's COPD is not related to his service-connected tuberculosis and therefore, denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case to consider whether the veteran's atherosclerotic heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are related to his military service, including exposure to harsh conditions during combat.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lung and heart disabilities are not service-connected, as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any presumptive exposure. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and thus denied the claim for service connection for cause of death.

The veteran is seeking service connection for COPD/bronchitis, which he claims was caused by smoke exposure in his military occupational specialty as a smoke generator operator. The Board has ordered additional development to determine the etiology of his current respiratory problems and whether they are related to his active service.

The veteran's COPD is rated at the maximum available rating of 60 percent, and his bilateral glaucoma with visual field loss warrants a 30 percent evaluation. The right leg varicose veins are also rated at the maximum available rating of 10 percent.

The Board found that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and denied the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding insufficient evidence to establish a relationship between his current condition and his period of active service.

The Board found that the veteran's cause of death was not service-connected and denied both his claim for service connection for the cause of death and his DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board finds that the veteran's COPD is likely due to a chronic respiratory disorder he experienced during his service in Vietnam, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and the need to consider private medical evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including peptic ulcer disease, diabetes, hypertension, heart attack, blisters and hives, upper and lower back problems, and breathing problems (COPD and sleep apnea), are not related to his active service or exposure to mustard gas. As such, these claims have been denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the claim for service connection for COPD, as secondary to service-connected granulomatous disease of the lungs. The case is REMANDED to the RO/AMC for further action.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether COPD is related to service, and a VA examination is needed.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion and providing proper VCAA notice.

The VA denied the appellant's claim of entitlement to service connection for a lung disorder (diagnosed as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) on the basis that there is no medical evidence showing the condition is related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides.