COPD Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, heart disease, COPD, and asthma/bronchitis cannot be granted as they are not shown to have been incurred or aggravated during active duty. The veteran's current conditions are considered to be due to his own use of tobacco products.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, finding that the veteran's current respiratory disability is a continuation of his in-service respiratory problems and linking it to military service.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for a pulmonary disorder, including COPD and emphysema with alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency. The decision is based on evidence that supports the direct relationship between the veteran's current conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and maculopathy/asteroid hyalosis of the right eye, both claimed as due to exposure to mustard gas. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board found that the veteran's current COPD is due, in part, to his in-service cigarette smoking and granted service connection for COPD.

The VA does not grant payment or reimbursement for unauthorized private medical expenses incurred by the veteran between March 17, 1999 and April [redacted], 1999 due to lack of authorization.

The veteran's chronic disabilities, including hypertension, COPD, right elbow and low back conditions, prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment consistent with his age, education, and work history. The Board has determined that the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for non-service-connected pension purposes are met.

The Board is remanding the veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and TDIU due to incomplete development of evidence.

The veteran's death was caused by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which is linked to smoking due to post-traumatic stress disorder. The Board has granted service connection for the cause of death and therefore grants DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1310.

The Board found that the veteran's COPD was incurred as a result of smoking during service, while esophageal cancer was not related to his military service.

The case is being remanded to obtain verification of the veteran's service between February 1946 and September 1954, retiree medical records from Barksdale Air Force Base, and a VA pulmonary specialist opinion on whether the veteran's smoking during service alone caused his later developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, finding that neither condition was incurred or aggravated during his periods of active duty for training.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a shoulder disorder, inguinal hernia surgery, lung disorder, chest pain, macular degeneration, and residuals of scarlet fever. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran is entitled to service connection for shortness of breath, currently diagnosed as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The Board found that the veteran's coronary artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and hypertension were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may they be presumed due to tobacco use and/or nicotine dependence acquired in service.

The VA medical specialist concluded that the veteran's death was not caused by or contributed to by VA treatment, and there were no medical opinions contradicting this conclusion.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim of service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to new evidence provided by Dr. Mario S. Pablo, which suggests an etiological link between the cause of the veteran's death and service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, heart disorder, diabetes mellitus, arthritis of the hands, benign prostatic hypertrophy, left ankle fusion, anemia, ulcer disease, and irritable bowel syndrome. The appeals were based on direct evidence rather than presumptions or secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's COPD with emphysema is due to nicotine dependence related to cigarette smoking during his active service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board finds that the veteran's chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is likely related to his in-service asbestos exposure, and thus service connection is granted.