COPD decisions — 2010

The Board finds that the Veteran's current lung changes, including left pleural plaques and right upper lobe fibrosis, are likely due to asbestos exposure during service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The appellant is not eligible for non-service-connected pension benefits due to a lack of service as an individual or member of a group considered to have performed active military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lung condition, including COPD and residuals of lung surgery, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination and clarification of the Veteran's hearing preferences.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD and emphysema, status post lung transplant due to lack of evidence.

The Veteran is granted service connection for COPD with chronic bronchitis, as his current conditions are at least as likely as not caused by or a result of exposure to second hand smoke during his military service.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, concluding that his COPD and related conditions did not have their onset during active service or were otherwise related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for avascular necrosis of the bilateral hips and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was withdrawn. The Board granted restoration of a 40 percent disability evaluation for degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbosacral spine, effective April 3, 2009.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence, including a lack of VA treatment records from the last twenty years of the Veteran's life. The appellant must provide additional medical records for consideration.

The Veteran's cause of death was due to massive pulmonary hemorrhage, but the Board is remanding the case for additional development regarding whether his sarcoidosis and other conditions are related to service, including exposure to environmental hazards.

The Veteran's lung disorder, including acute flash pulmonary edema, COPD, and asthmatic bronchitis, is being remanded for further development to determine if service connection can be established. The issue of TDIU due to service-connected disability remains deferred until the above-mentioned issues are resolved.

The Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected psychiatric condition, schizophrenia, which contributed to his non-compliance with medical treatment and ultimately led to his respiratory failure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes and psychiatric disorders, were denied as the evidence did not support a link to his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's service-connected COPD and nummular eczema do not preclude him from substantially gainful employment, consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Veteran's COPD with a history of asbestosis is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that his disability does not warrant an increase in rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, specifically chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is being remanded due to the need for further medical examination and analysis.

The Veteran's COPD and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine have been granted service connection, with COPD linked to smoking and nicotine dependence that began during service. Service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is also granted as it is related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death, severe COPD, was not caused or contributed substantially or materially to his death by any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for emergency treatment at the Renal Hypertension Center on June 24, 2007 are approved as they met the criteria for reimbursement under VA regulations.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.