COPD Board decisions

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance of another person was granted, with a rating assigned at the housebound rate.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and chronic bronchial asthma, finding new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further development.

The VA has granted an increased evaluation of 30 percent for the veteran's service-connected chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, based on a DLCO (63% predicted).

The Board has determined that the veteran's cause of death, respiratory failure due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, was not caused or contributed by his service-connected disability nor any disability presumptively associated with being a prisoner of war. The RO is instructed to attempt to secure VA treatment records from Tampa and provide the appellant with an opportunity to respond.

The veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are denied as the evidence does not show these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active military service.

The veteran is seeking service connection for asbestosis and COPD, which he claims are related to his in-service asbestos exposure. The VA has ordered further development of the evidence before deciding this appeal.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for emphysema and COPD due to nicotine dependence or tobacco use in service, finding that these conditions were not related to his active service.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence linking his COPD-bronchial asthma to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to procedural deficiencies and the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA medical opinion regarding service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, attributing it to coronary thrombosis. The effective date is set at June 11, 1982, based on new and material evidence submitted by the appellant.

The Board has determined that the veteran's respiratory disorder, including emphysema, asthma, and COPD, had its onset during his period of active service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current COPD may be related to his military service, including exposure to asbestos and smoking. However, further development is needed to clarify this relationship.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of her husband's death and entitlement to dependents' educational assistance under 38 U.S.C.A. Chapter 35 due to lack of evidence linking his death to service-connected conditions or asbestos exposure.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of her husband's death and DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318, finding that the veteran's death was due to his use of tobacco products during service.

The Board denied service connection for bronchial asthma with COPD and the TDIU rating prior to September 1999, finding that there was no evidence showing a direct relationship between the veteran's conditions and his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's COPD is not secondary to his service-connected pulmonary asbestosis.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting evidence on whether the veteran's COPD is related to his service, and requests that additional medical records be obtained and a new opinion be provided.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence linking any causes of his death to his military service or within any applicable presumption period.

The veteran's exposure to asbestos in service caused or contributed substantially and materially to his cause of death, which was respiratory failure due to pneumonia with significant contributions from asbestosis.

The Board found that a disability incurred in or aggravated by service neither caused nor contributed substantially or materially to cause the veteran's death.