COPD Board decisions

The veteran's service-connected chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with bronchial asthma is currently rated at 30 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on his current disability level.

The Board found no medical evidence linking the veteran's current lung disorder to his period of service, including any chemical exposure during service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim of service connection for an ulcer disability is not well-grounded. The issue of service connection for COPD is deferred pending further development.

The Board denied service connection for COPD as secondary to in-service asbestos exposure, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the veteran's current condition and his military service.

The veteran's service-connected small airway disease with restrictive component and history of bronchitis is currently rated at 30 percent, but the evidence does not support an increase in rating.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and to obtain Social Security Administration disability determination medical records.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings for her bilateral eye surgery residuals and COPD with emphysema, bronchitis, and asthma. The RO certified only the issues of increased ratings for these conditions to the Board.

The Board found that the veteran's back and neck disorder is not related to his service, while his lung disorder was attributed to smoking rather than asbestos exposure. The claim for both conditions was denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral posterior subcapsular cataracts and COPD, all secondary to exposure to ionizing radiation. The VA Assistant Chief Medical Director found it unlikely that these conditions were related to the veteran's in-service exposure.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection were not well-grounded, as there was no competent medical evidence demonstrating nicotine dependence or a relationship between lung disorders and service.

The veteran's service-connected hypertension did not cause or contribute to his death. The severe COPD he had developed was the primary cause of his death.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection were not well-grounded due to a lack of competent medical evidence linking his current conditions to his military service, specifically to mustard gas exposure.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for left knee tuberculosis arthritis with fusion and service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The case is remanded to issue a Statement of the Case regarding the service connection issue.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations were not well grounded, and denied all issues related to service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a disease of the respiratory system, including histoplasmosis, residuals of pneumonia, and COPD, finding that there was no competent evidence showing the presence of these conditions in service or linking them to an incident of service.

The Board found that the veteran's death was caused by cigarette smoking during his military service, leading to esophageal cancer and respiratory insufficiency. The claim is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for the cause of his death and educational benefits, finding no competent medical evidence linking the cause of death to active service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis and denied an increased evaluation for COPD. The veteran's sinusitis is of service origin, while his COPD remains at a 10% rating.

The veteran seeks earlier effective dates for service connection and increased ratings, arguing that his conditions were present since discharge in 1945. The Board found no clear and unmistakable error but granted the requested effective dates.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was not caused by a qualifying additional disability resulting from VA hospitalization, medical treatment, or examination. The cause of death was listed as 'complete heart block due to, or as consequence of ischemic heart disease,' with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease noted as contributing to the death.