COPD Board decisions

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's liver cancer or respiratory disability to his military service, including exposure to herbicides. The claims for these conditions were denied.

The VA has denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for bronchial asthma, citing insufficient evidence to support such an increase based on the veteran's pulmonary function test results and medical history.

The veteran's death was caused by respiratory failure due to pneumonia, cirrhosis, and anemia. The service-connected bilateral cataracts are not considered the cause of death. No other conditions related to service or service-connected disabilities contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The veteran had a pending claim for service connection for COPD at the time of his death. The appellant was granted service connection for COPD for accrued benefits purposes.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute to his death, and there is no evidence showing a relationship between any of his service-connected conditions and the cause of his death.

The Board has granted service connection for asthma, but denied service connection for PTSD and COPD related to smoking. The veteran's current respiratory issues are attributed to his military service for asthma, while the majority of his COPD is due to long-term smoking.

The VA denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for the veteran's service-connected bronchial asthma and COPD, based on current symptoms that do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable disability evaluation criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cause of death was not related to his service-connected residuals of trench foot, and thus denied the claim for service connection. The issue of accrued benefits is also addressed in this decision.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to timing issues in providing VCAA notice and additional medical opinions.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities did not contribute to his death, and thus denied entitlement to service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic right upper lobectomy residuals with COPD and thoracotomy residuals originated during active service, while her chronic hypertension was not shown to have originated in or proximate to active service.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for COPD with interstitial fibrosis due to asbestosis is being remanded for additional medical examination and evaluation.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims can be fully adjudicated, including obtaining updated medical records and VA examinations to assess the veteran's COPD and TDIU rating.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected COPD and depression did not cause or contribute to his death, as there was no evidence of a causal connection between these conditions and his suicide.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and COPD, but denied them on the merits. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was not supported by new evidence related to the etiology of the condition. The claim for COPD was reopened due to a November 2004 VA examination report that is material to the etiology of the veteran's COPD.

The veteran is seeking service connection for bronchial asthma and COPD, which he claims are related to his exposure to chemicals during active duty. The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and emphysema are not related to his active service, including asbestos exposure. The Board also found that these conditions were not caused or aggravated by his service-connected asbestosis.

The Board found that the veteran's chronic respiratory disability was not incurred in or aggravated by his service, and therefore denied both direct and secondary service connection.

The Board finds that the veteran's chronic respiratory disorder, including asthma, bronchiectasis, and COPD, is related to his in-service pneumonia. However, there is no evidence of other residuals from the April 1957 episode of pneumonia.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claimed COPD, cardiac disorders (including coronary artery disease and mitral valve replacement), and hypertension are not related to his active service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.