COPD Board decisions

The VA determined that the appellant's nonservice-connected disabilities do not combine to render him unemployable, and thus denied his claim for a permanent and total disability evaluation for pension purposes.

The veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance. However, he is found to be housebound due to his age and disabilities.

The case is being remanded for additional development of the veteran's medical records, including those from VA and non-VA facilities. The appellant must provide more specific information regarding the veteran's treatment at St. Luke's Hospital in Houston.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and an earlier effective date for his grant of service connection for pulmonary tuberculosis. The veteran appealed these decisions, but the appeals were ultimately dismissed due to lack of clear and unmistakable error in prior rating actions.

The Board has found that the veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, to include COPD and emphysema, due to tobacco use during service is well grounded. The evidence shows current diagnosis of a respiratory disorder including COPD and emphysema, and a nexus between the currently diagnosed conditions and tobacco use during active service.

The veteran's COPD is found to be related to his exposure to toxic chemicals during service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is not service-connected, but his COPD was. He died of respiratory failure due to COPD.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound was denied as he does not meet the criteria for either.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral lung disorder and residuals of a right knee injury, finding that there was no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his period of active service.,The Board also denied the veteran's claims for increased initial ratings for residuals of right wrist fractures and left wrist fractures.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for COPD due to tobacco use or nicotine dependence in service, based on new and material evidence.

The Board denied service connection for nicotine dependence and COPD with emphysema, finding no medical evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's service.,Service connection was also denied for chronic iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS), as there was insufficient evidence of a nexus between ITBS and the veteran's service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a right shoulder disability, and a left knee disability are not well grounded. The evidence does not establish a nexus between these disabilities and an injury or disease in service.

The veteran's service-connected COPD, asthma, and emphysema are found to be disabling enough for him to be considered unemployable due to his disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for schizophrenia, nicotine dependence, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The decision also found that a September 1967 rating decision denying service connection for schizophrenia was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous.

The Board has determined that the appellant's need for aid and attendance is established, granting her special monthly pension based on this need.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bronchial asthma with COPD due to pesticide exposure and a higher evaluation for PTSD are denied. The claim for total rating based on individual unemployability is also denied.

The Board has granted an effective date of February 17, 1994 for service connection of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and denied the claim for service connection of asbestosis.

The Board found that the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death is not well-grounded due to insufficient evidence linking any in-service exposure or conditions to the veteran's death.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and denied both claims for service connection and benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claim of entitlement to service connection for the cause of her husband's death is not well grounded. The medical evidence does not support a link between the veteran's death and his military service.