COPD Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and an initial compensable disability rating for asbestosis, finding no current diagnosis of COPD and insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between any diagnosed condition and service.

The veteran's COPD is rated at a 30 percent rating, which meets the criteria for this rating based on his pulmonary function test results.

The Board determined that the cause of the veteran's death was not related to his service-connected condition, discogenic disease of the lumbosacral spine. The appellant's claim for DIC benefits based on the cause of the veteran's death is therefore denied.

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence linking the veteran's respiratory disability, claimed as asthma, COPD and a vocal cord condition to service, including exposure to oil well fires in the Southwest Asia theater of operations. As such, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and asthma, peripheral neuropathy, and left ear hearing loss. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service or exposure to herbicides.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The issues of service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and a higher disability rating for chronic wrist strain are not before the Board.

The Board found that the veteran's current respiratory disorders, diagnosed as COPD and asthmatic bronchitis, were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that his current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for COPD. The Board also found that the veteran's COPD and emphysema are related to his active service, including exposure to chemicals and toxins during his time with the Blue Angels.

The veteran's death was caused by lung carcinoma, which is not service-connected. The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for MDS, COPD, pneumonia, thyroid cancer, leukopenia, and gastroesophageal ulcer. The appeals were not granted as there is no evidence of a nexus between any current disabilities and service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board has remanded the case for further medical examination and opinion regarding the veteran's lung disabilities, including asbestosis. The appeal is pending until further action.

The veteran's death was caused by aspiration pneumonia, with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and hematuria as contributing causes. The Board found no objective evidence of a positive nexus between the veteran's service-connected disabilities and his cause of death. Therefore, the claim for service connection for cause of death is denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection for COPD secondary to asbestos exposure is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and a VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, joint pain as a residual of rheumatic fever, and COPD. The left knee disability was not shown to be related to service or rheumatic fever. Joint pain was not linked to service or rheumatic fever. COPD was found to be primarily due to tobacco smoking rather than asbestos exposure.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for emphysema and COPD, as well as a compensable rating for bilateral defective hearing. The evidence did not support higher ratings or service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and a bilateral leg condition. The issue of service connection for a bilateral foot condition is not addressed in this decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to lack of evidence showing negligence or fault in VA treatment, and denied his attempt to reopen his service connection claim for eye disorders.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic lung condition, identified as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and emphysema, that is causally or etiologically related to military service. The veteran's long history of smoking was considered in the decision.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing VA records and a need to obtain state disability benefits records.

The veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, cataracts, and glaucoma for purposes of accrued benefits have been denied as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service or the service-connected disabilities at the time of his death.