COPD Board decisions

The Board found that the veteran's COPD with emphysema is not service-connected due to its being attributable to tobacco use, and denied both issues on appeal.

The veteran claims service connection for COPD, which is related to a lung injury sustained in a motor vehicle accident. The case is being remanded for additional development and examination.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, COPD, a psychiatric disability, and hepatitis C. The claim for reopening of the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral ankle disabilities is also denied.

The Board found that the veteran's current respiratory disability, including COPD, was incurred in active service and granted service connection for residuals of pneumonia.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection due to tuberculosis, COPD, and pneumonia. The appeal was dismissed as there is no legal basis for granting accrued benefits prior to June 22, 1998.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his disabilities, as they do not render him helpless or require assistance with daily activities.

The Board found that the veteran's current respiratory disorder and hypertension were not incurred or aggravated by service, and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service.

The veteran seeks service connection for a pulmonary/respiratory disability, including bronchiectasis and COPD. The VA is remanding the case to obtain additional evidence from SSA and to provide the veteran with another opportunity to submit information or evidence pertinent to his claim.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by, or substantially or materially contributed to by, a disability incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service.

The veteran is seeking service connection for COPD, which he claims was caused by exposure to phosphorous smoke during combat. The Board has decided that additional development is needed before deciding the merits of his claim.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound was denied due to his current disabilities not meeting the criteria for such benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD and emphysema as secondary to asbestos exposure, but remanded the issues of hypertension, congestive heart failure (CHF), and osteoporosis due to potential relationship with newly service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected heart disease contributed to his death from non-service-connected COPD, and thus grants service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by VA medical treatment and denied DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, claimed as secondary to mustard gas exposure in Bari, Italy, is being remanded due to procedural issues and the need for additional evidence.

The veteran's service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder contributed to his death, and the Board has granted service connection for the cause of death.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not due to a disability of service origin and did not substantially or materially contribute to cause his death.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining relevant medical records and ensuring compliance with VA's assistance requirements.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound is remanded due to unclear findings regarding his ability to care for himself and protect himself from daily hazards.

The Board has determined that the veteran's COPD and acquired low back disorder are service-connected, with nicotine dependence during service being considered a significant factor.