COPD Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural deficiencies in VCAA notice and for further development of the evidence.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected PTSD did not cause or contribute to his death, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The veteran's claim for service connection for COPD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by mustard gas exposure during service, and thus denied his claim for secondary service connection.

The VA determined that the veteran's respiratory disorder, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/reactive airway disease, is not related to his period of active military service.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for mesothelioma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and coronary artery disease as these conditions were not shown to be related to military service or any presumptive exposure. The veteran's death was caused by mesothelioma with COPD listed as a contributing condition.

The Board found no competent medical evidence of a diagnosis of PTSD, and thus denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD. The claim for service connection for COPD was not adjudicated as it is not part of the appeal.

The claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 was denied as the appellant's spouse did not meet the requirements of being continuously rated totally disabled for a period of 10 years or more immediately preceding her husband's death, or five or more years from the date of discharge from service.

The Board found that the veteran's cause of death, arteriosclerotic heart disease, was not related to his military service and denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Board denied the appellant's claim to reopen her service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding no new and material evidence that would support reopening the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and benefits due to lack of evidence showing a claim prior to September 9, 1997.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of legal merit, as his character of discharge barred him from VA benefits. The claim for COPD was also denied.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of her husband's death and legal entitlement to accrued benefits, finding no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's post-service conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and asbestosis, finding no evidence of a nexus to service.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that his smoking in service did not cause his COPD and subsequent death. The Board also found that his service-connected disabilities did not substantially or materially contribute to his death.

The veteran's claims for service connection and special monthly compensation are being remanded due to incomplete development of the record, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Board has found that the veteran's appendectomy scar is service-connected, and his lung condition is not attributable to service.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions on the etiology of his claimed conditions and exposure history.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected pulmonary tuberculosis, far advanced, inactive with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and chronic bronchitis warrants a rating of 60 percent under the old criteria for evaluation of residuals of inactive pulmonary tuberculosis.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for VA examinations to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.