COPD Board decisions

The veteran's claim for enhanced DIC was denied as he did not have a service-connected disability rated totally disabling for at least eight years immediately preceding his death.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active service and denied his claims for service connection.

The veteran's service-connected valvular disorders do not meet the criteria for a higher rating as they are not related to his current cardiovascular dysfunction, which is attributed to other conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, an increased rating for arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease with hypertension and congestive heart failure, a compensable rating for anxiety reaction, and a compensable evaluation for malaria. The evidence did not support secondary service connection for any of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to provide VCAA notice and for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for increased disability ratings for COPD and TDIU, finding that the increase in severity of his condition did not occur prior to December 10, 2002.

The VA has determined that the veteran's lung disorders, including emphysema and COPD, are not related to his military service. The Board found no current evidence of a chronic respiratory disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a lung disability based on exposure to ionizing radiation, finding that his chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was not related to service or any incident therein.

The Board found that the veteran's COPD is likely related to asbestos exposure during service, and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the cause of the veteran's death was not related to any service-connected disability, and thus denied both claims for service connection for the cause of death and eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA).

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD but denied the claim of entitlement to service connection for a chronic pulmonary disorder claimed as the result of Agent Orange exposure. The veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension at the housebound rate was granted effective July 11, 2000, based on his disabilities.

The Board found no evidence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, or asbestosis in service and denied the claim based on lack of a nexus between current conditions and asbestos exposure.

The Board found that the veteran does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension by reason of being in need of aid and attendance of another person due to his current physical condition, which allows him to dress, undress, attend to his wants of nature, and protect himself from daily hazards.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for asthma. The veteran's appeal must be reopened.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for cause of the veteran's death, finding no evidence linking the cause to his period of active duty service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current pleural plaque and emphysema/COPD are related to his asbestos exposure during military service, leading to a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the appellant's lung disability, diagnosed as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with emphysema and interstitial fibrosis, is attributable to his period of active military service due to asbestos exposure during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, finding no evidence of a chronic respiratory disorder during active military service and concluding that any current COPD is not related to military service.

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