COPD decisions — 2011

The Veteran's death is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an updated medical opinion regarding the relationship between his service-connected bronchial asthma and his cause of death.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's diagnosed pulmonary disabilities, including emphysema and COPD, as at least as likely as not related to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have asthma, squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, laryngitis, bronchitis, or emphysema or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease during service and there is no current evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus and found that his bilateral hearing loss claim was not reopened. The COPD issue is being remanded.,The Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and COPD were all denied by the RO in January 2008.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for heart disorder, stroke, COPD, and periodontal disease. The decision is based on the lack of evidence showing a direct link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine the etiology of any nasal/sinus/respiratory disability, including COPD, asthma, seasonal allergic rhinitis, bronchitis, and deviated septum. The Veteran's service treatment records indicate respiratory symptoms in service, but no definitive diagnosis was made.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for COPD and asbestosis, finding no current disability and insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between any diagnosed conditions and service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing at the RO due to his request.

The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnosed bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were not incurred or aggravated during service, nor may bronchiectasis be presumed to have been incurred therein.

The Board found that the Veteran's lung disability, including asbestosis and COPD, was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed due to asbestos exposure. The preponderance of evidence showed no relationship between his current condition and military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's COPD and chronic bronchitis were not present in service or for many years thereafter, and are not related to his military service. Therefore, the claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and providing VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any current left foot disorder, hepatitis C, and respiratory disorder.

The Veteran's inactive pulmonary tuberculosis is granted service connection, and his chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is denied. The other issues are also addressed.

The Veteran's active TB and COPD were not incurred in or aggravated by any incident of service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred therein. The Board finds the March 2010 VA examiner's opinions persuasive regarding the etiology of the Veteran's pulmonary conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of pneumonia, including COPD, finding that there was no competent evidence linking his current COPD to an in-service event.

The Board found that the Veteran's COPD was not related to his service, including his exposure to asbestos while serving aboard a Navy ship. The preponderance of evidence is against a finding that COPD is related to service.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred from November 19, 2007 to November 20, 2007 at St. Elizabeth Hospital were denied as the treatment was not related to his service-connected conditions and he had stabilized by that time.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by VA's failure to timely diagnose or treat his kidney disease (End-Stage Renal Disease) and/or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The medical evidence showed appropriate treatment for these conditions, and there is no indication of negligence on VA's part.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his chronic bronchitis with COPD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sarcoidosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and depression are being remanded due to the need for additional development of records.