COPD Board decisions

The Board finds that the veteran's COPD and depression were not incurred or aggravated by active service, and thus denied his claims.

The Board is remanding the case due to incomplete medical records and will consider all claims raised by the evidence, including theories of entitlement not previously considered.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected COPD, finding that his FEV-1 and FEV1/FVC did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology and date of onset for the veteran's claimed conditions, including COPD, heart disability, hypertension, and right eye disorder.

The Board has determined that the cause of death, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and rheumatoid arthritis, was not caused or contributed to by any service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for the veteran's representative to review his claims file before a hearing can be scheduled.

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

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical records and further development of the claim.

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

The Board finds that the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date are not supported by evidence showing a claim was filed prior to January 30, 2001. The effective dates for service connection and increased evaluation will be fixed in accordance with the facts found, but shall not be earlier than the date of receipt of application therefor.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling a VA audiology examination.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertensive vascular disease and generalized anxiety disorder, finding no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The lung disorder claim is remanded due to insufficient examination findings.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current disability related to his military service for his claimed lumbar spine, left knee, and respiratory disorders. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, congestive heart failure, and Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex, including as secondary to exposure to ionizing radiation. The appeals were based on direct evidence of these conditions.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's claimed pulmonary disability, including COPD and chronic bronchitis, is not related to his military service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The VA determined that the veteran's COPD is not related to his military service, including any asbestos exposure. The Board found no nexus between the veteran's current COPD and his in-service asbestos exposure.

The Board is remanding the case to determine if the veteran was exposed to mustard gas in Bari, Italy during December 1943 and whether he developed any conditions related to that exposure. The appellant believes her husband's death may have been caused by his mustard gas exposure.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran's emphysema/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and squamous cell carcinoma of the left vocal cord were not incurred or aggravated by active service. The claims are therefore denied.

The veteran is seeking service connection for COPD with emphysema, which he claims is related to his exposure to herbicide agents during service. The VA has not yet reviewed the necessary medical records from SSA and must do so before deciding this case.