COPD Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic respiratory disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bronchopneumonia or COPD, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to service. The veteran's claims for service connection are denied.

The veteran's emergency medical services provided at Gilmore Memorial Hospital were approved as they met the criteria for payment under the Millennium Bill Act, including being in a public emergency facility and not having feasible VA alternatives.

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

The Board denied the claim of service connection for cause of death due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the appeal can be decided, including providing VCAA notice and obtaining a VA examination to determine if the veteran's current respiratory disorders are related to service.

The Board found that the veteran's currently diagnosed ASHD with CABG is not related to service or his service-connected COPD, and therefore denied the claim for secondary service connection.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic disability related to service for COPD or stomach conditions, and thus denied the veteran's claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for spondylolisthesis, grade I with DDD and residuals of a collapsed lung. The claim for diabetes mellitus type II was reopened but not granted.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for pulmonary tuberculosis, finding that new and material evidence had not been received.

The Board has determined that the cause of the veteran's death was COPD and gastrointestinal bleed, neither of which are service-connected. The Board also found no evidence to suggest that the veteran's service-connected PTB contributed to his death.

The Board has denied service connection for hepatitis C, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, tinnitus, deafness, hypertension, and visual impairment claimed as an eye disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for both cardiovascular disorders and asthma with COPD, including secondary to his cardiovascular disorder. The decision stated that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence of pre-existing cardiovascular disorder being aggravated by service, and also noted insufficient medical nexus evidence linking the asthma with COPD directly or secondarily to service.

The Board denied service connection for corneal opacities and conjunctivitis due to mustard gas exposure, as well as service connection for COPD due to second-hand smoke and/or mustard gas exposure. The veteran's claims were not supported by competent evidence.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence showing that his fatal congestive heart failure or COPD had its onset in service, was causally related to service, or was caused by a service-connected disability.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic lung disorder during service and concluded that the current lung condition is more likely due to continued tobacco use and obesity, rather than military service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has determined that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy, diverticulitis, and respiratory condition are not service-connected. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension benefits based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound is remanded due to insufficient medical evidence to determine the severity of his disabilities.

The Board's February 2006 decision assigning an effective date of June 9, 1992 for the grant of service connection for COPD was vacated and the appeal is dismissed due to the veteran's death.