COPD Board decisions

The Board has determined that there is no current disability related to service for the veteran's low back injury and liver cysts. The veteran's claim for a low back disability due to in-service exposure to chemicals was denied as there is no evidence of a current herniated nucleus pulposus, and his liver cysts are not considered to be related to service.

The veteran's claim of service connection for a pulmonary disorder due to tobacco use is denied as the law precludes such claims filed after June 9, 1998. The Board also denies service connection for other pulmonary disorders and a constricted larynx based on lack of evidence supporting these claims.

The veteran was granted service connection for emphysema due to alpha one antitrypsin deficiency, with an evaluation of 100 percent disabling. The RO found that the disability for which he received OWCP benefits is the same as that for which he received VA compensation, thus creating an overpayment. The case was resolved in favor of the veteran regarding the validity of the indebtedness and waiver.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a pulmonary disorder, including asthma, as new and material evidence was not received.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the presence of asbestos-related lung disease. The appellant's claim for service connection is pending and will be reviewed with all available medical records.

The Board has denied service connection for COPD and sleep apnea, both claimed as secondary to service-connected bronchial asthma. The VA examiner did not provide an opinion regarding the veteran's current diagnosis of sleep apnea.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a skin disorder of his hands and feet, gastrointestinal disability due to a stomach injury, cardiac disability, and respiratory disability. The Board found no evidence of chronic conditions in service or for many years thereafter.

The Board found that the veteran's COPD was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim.

The Board found no evidence to support a causal relationship between the veteran's service, any service-connected condition, or his tobacco use during service and the cause of death. The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Board found that the veteran's COPD is manifested by FEV-1 between 56 and 70 percent of predicted, FEV-1/FVC of between 56 to 70 percent of predicted, and DLCO of between 56 to 65 percent of predicted upon pulmonary testing. The criteria for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for the service-connected COPD have not been met.

The veteran's death was caused by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and coronary artery disease. The appellant contends that the cause of her father's death is related to his service-connected disability, pulmonary tuberculosis. Additional medical records are needed for a thorough evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cause of death, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), was caused by his service-connected exposure to chemicals in the course of his duties as a waste management specialist. The Board found sufficient evidence linking the veteran's COPD to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and need for further examination.

The Board found that the veteran does not have COPD related to service or his service-connected tuberculosis, and thus denied his claim for secondary service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for skin rash, pes planus (flat feet), compression fracture of thoracic spine, and COPD. The evidence did not establish a direct relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for COPD and hypertension, finding no persuasive medical nexus evidence indicating these conditions were incurred or aggravated during his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disorder, to include COPD, and for a disability manifested by dizziness.,There is no evidence of any respiratory disorder or dizziness during active service. The veteran's current conditions are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a skin rash, and inflamed joints to include knees, hands, and feet due to herbicide exposure. The conditions are presumed to be related to such exposure.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability and denied all claims.

The veteran's hypertension and COPD have been granted service connection, but the VA has determined that neither condition warrants a compensable disability evaluation.