COPD Board decisions

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by or substantially contributed to by a disability incurred in service, including as a POW. The cause of death listed on his death certificate was cardio-pulmonary arrest due to aspiration pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and ischemic heart disease.

The Board denied the appellant's claim of entitlement to service connection for COPD, finding that there was no medical evidence linking his current condition to his active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that his current condition did not begin during or as a result of his military service.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed conditions, including basal cell carcinoma of the left cheek, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, liver disease, and sinus disability, all allegedly related to exposure to Agent Orange. The appeal is based on a presumption of service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service connection claims for post-traumatic stress disorder and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are mixed, with some issues granted and others not. The veteran served in Vietnam during the Vietnam era and is presumed to have been exposed to herbicides like Agent Orange. However, there is no conclusive evidence of a combat-related stressor for PTSD, and the VA has scheduled an examination to determine if this diagnosis can be supported by verified incidents. For COPD, the Board found that exposure to chemicals in Vietnam may have contributed to the veteran's condition.

The veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability, and dependency and indemnity compensation is denied under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1310.

The veteran died in May 1984 due to Cor Pulmonale with an onset of one year, caused by or as a consequence of severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The Board found that the veteran was not entitled to DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 because he did not meet the criteria for receiving such benefits.

The Board found that there is insufficient evidence to establish service connection for nerve damage resulting from an in-service injury. The veteran's current nerve damage is not linked to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic respiratory/pulmonary disorder, including asthma and COPD, was incurred in service. The condition is presumed to have developed due to a pre-existing post-tubercular calcification or other reflection of tuberculosis exposure during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, emphysema, and prostate cancer as due to tobacco use in service, nicotine dependence, or secondary to nicotine dependence. The appeals were all denied.

The Board denied a compensable evaluation for the service-connected inactive pulmonary tuberculosis and denied service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as secondary to the service-connected inactive pulmonary tuberculosis.

The Board found that the veteran's cause of death, ventricular fibrillation and COPD, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The Board also determined that a service-connected disability did not substantially or materially contribute to cause his death.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hernia repairs and COPD/bronchitis with past pneumonia have been granted initial noncompensable ratings.

The Board has ordered further development in your case due to pending issues and evidence. Your case was sent to the Board's Evidence Development Unit for additional development.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, liver and pancreas masses, and residuals of left kidney carcinoma with nephrectomy and renal failure. The RO decisions denying these claims were final.

The Board has granted an effective date of January 13, 2003 for a 100% rating for COPD, based on the fact that the veteran met the criteria for such a rating as of February 6, 1997.

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 has determined that additional development is needed due to new evidence submitted by the appellant, and the case is being remanded for further review.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, arteriosclerosis obliterans, residuals of transmetatarsal amputations of the left foot, COPD, and hyperuricemia, all claimed as diseases associated with herbicide exposure. The appeal is based on a lack of evidence supporting these conditions or their association with service.

The VA Regional Office (RO) denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hearing loss, and refractive error. The RO granted service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder.