COPD Board decisions

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for an asbestos-related lung disorder, to include COPD. The issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is addressed in the REMAND portion and is referred back to the RO.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to service or to a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was not incurred in or related to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, congestive heart failure, obesity, and muscle atrophy. The appeals were based on secondary to tobacco use during service or nicotine dependence developed during service.

The Board found that the veteran did not have any service-connected conditions that caused or contributed to his death. The cause of death was attributed to pneumonia with sepsis, which occurred during a hospitalization in February 1994.

The veteran's claim for specially adapted housing assistance or a special home adaptation grant is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and VA examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for emphysema, bronchitis, anemia, and heart disorder based on radiation exposure during service. The evidence did not support a current diagnosis of emphysema.

The Board has determined that the veteran's respiratory disorder is not due to disease or injury incurred in service and denied his claim for service connection. The initial rating for tinnitus remains at 10 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was not related to service, including any herbicide exposure. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for asbestosis, COPD, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, and bilateral hearing loss. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's COPD warrants a 30 percent evaluation since May 1, 1995. The rating will be increased to 60 percent from April 1, 2002 to March 22, 2005.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and therefore denied service connection for the cause of death. The eligibility to DEA benefits under Chapter 35 is also denied. The appellant is not entitled to burial benefits at the service-connected rate.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and requests further development, including VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a residual of bronchiectasis incurred during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for clarification on whether the veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The Board has granted service connection for pes planus and dismissed the remaining issues of appeal.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for a deviated nasal septum disability and secondary service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease arising from that disability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for COPD. However, the evidence does not establish a direct link between the veteran's current condition and his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining a VA medical examination and reviewing all relevant evidence. The issues of service connection for COPD due to asbestos exposure and TDIU will be addressed after this additional review.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD as secondary to in-service tobacco use, effective June 9, 1992. The veteran's original claim of service connection for COPD was denied in July 1983 and not appealed.