The Veteran's cause of death was listed as ischemic cardiomyopathy, coronary artery disease (CAD), peripheral vascular disease (PVD), and chronic renal insufficiency. The Board finds that the Veteran's COPD, which he developed due to exposure to welding fumes in service, contributed substantially to his death.
The deciding factor: The VA pulmonologist opined that it is as possible as not that the Veteran's COPD was caused by exposure to welding fumes in service. The VA cardiologist indicated that COPD may contribute to the severity of cardiovascular disease.
- Claimed conditions
- COPD, ischemic cardiomyopathy, coronary artery disease (CAD), peripheral vascular disease (PVD), chronic renal insufficiency
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 1, 2009
- Citation
- 0924677
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0924677.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current respiratory disability and active duty service. The VA examiner concluded that the COPD was more likely due to tobacco use rather than asbestos exposure in service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his coronary artery disease.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, attributing it to his exposure to Agent Orange during service. COPD is considered a disease associated with such exposure.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer, coronary artery disease (CAD), diabetes mellitus type II (DM II), hypertension, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to service-connected DM II. The Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange during active service is presumed.
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