COPD Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding whether the veteran's breathing problems are related to his service-connected shrapnel wound of the right upper chest and for readjudicating the issue of an increased rating for residuals of shrapnel wound of the right upper chest.

The Board denied service connection for COPD and hypertension, finding no evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's active service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for low back strain, PTSD, tremors (to include Parkinson's disease), headaches, and COPD. The veteran's claims were not supported by evidence of in-service stressors or a nexus to service.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for a lung disorder due to asbestos exposure, an increased evaluation for facial scars, and reopening of his claim for service connection for migraine headaches. The VA found that there was no evidence linking any current lung condition or facial scars to service, and the new evidence submitted did not provide sufficient information to reopen the claim for migraines.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of service personnel records and the need to determine if the veteran had duty or visitation in Vietnam, which could affect his claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence is not new and material to reopen the claim of service connection for the cause of the veteran's death. The appellant's claims have been previously addressed, and the current assertions are considered cumulative.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for service connection for lung cancer and to reopen his claim of service connection for COPD. The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's lung cancer or COPD to his active military service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for COPD and/or emphysema, claimed as due to asbestos exposure during service is being remanded for further development.

The Board found that the veteran does not have asbestosis or any other asbestos-related disease and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the cause of death was a subdural hematoma caused by blunt force trauma, but service connection for the cause of death is not established as neither hypertensive cardiovascular disease nor COPD were present in service or until years thereafter and are not etiologically related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for alcoholism, peripheral neuropathy secondary to alcoholism, a sleep disorder, dysthymia, and COPD. The denial is based on the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 105(a) and 38 C.F.R. § 3.301 which prohibit compensation for disabilities resulting from willful misconduct or abuse of alcohol or drugs.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death and entitlement to DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318, finding that there was no medical evidence linking any service-connected disability to his death.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim of service connection for a respiratory disability, including COPD and asthma, as these conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD, finding that the condition is likely related to the veteran's period of active duty.

The Board has determined that additional VA and private medical records are needed to fully evaluate the veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, including asthma, emphysema, COPD, and asbestosis. The RO is also instructed to verify the identity of the veteran and obtain any relevant service personnel and medical records.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if the veteran meets the criteria for service connection for PTSD, coronary artery disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder. The claims are being remanded to allow for additional evidence collection and a VA examination.

The veteran's service-connected chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was evaluated at a 30 percent rating prior to December 21, 2000 and from January 1, 2003. The case is considered 'mixed' as some issues were granted (prior to December 21, 2000) while others were not (from January 1, 2003).

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied as there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for coronary artery disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, finding that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated in active service.