COPD decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and obtaining relevant medical records.

The Veteran's death was caused by congestive heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), with coronary artery disease being a contributing factor. The Board found that the Veteran's coronary artery disease, which is subject to presumptive service connection due to his Vietnam-era service, materially hastened his death.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current lung disorders are not related to his active military service, including exposure to asbestos. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's chronic cough and COPD are less likely as not a result of or etiologically related to his active military service.

The Veteran's cause of death, end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), was not caused by or substantially contributed to by his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, and respiratory disability (COPD) are denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a causal relationship to service. The claim for service connection for cervical and lumbar spine conditions remains pending.

The Veteran asserts that his COPD is related to exposure to dust, sand, and burning debris in Iraq during service. The Board finds the claim should be remanded for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his COPD.

The Board found the reduction in rating from 60 percent to noncompensable for sarcoidosis and COPD improper, as both conditions were originally service-connected and rated together. The denial of service connection for COPD was also deemed improper.

The Board found no evidence to support the claim that the Veteran's death was caused by a service-connected condition or exposure to radiation during service, and thus denied the claim for service connection for cause of death.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a lack of a supplemental medical opinion regarding the Veteran's respiratory disorder and its relation to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and therefore denied his claim for service connection for the cause of his death.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a chronic respiratory disorder, including COPD and asthma, claimed as the result of inservice asbestos exposure. The case is being remanded to obtain updated pulmonary function test results and additional medical records.

The Veteran's hearing loss, sinusitis, rhinitis, bronchitis, COPD, insomnia, allergies, substance dependence, and depression were not found to be related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, and a respiratory disability are denied. The claim for TDIU is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, including COPD and bronchiectasis, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and records.

The Veteran's severe actinic damage with a history of multiple non-melanomatous skin cancers has been granted a 30 percent evaluation, effective November 17, 2005.

The Board denied service connection for GERD, interstitial lung disease, and COPD as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected inactive pulmonary tuberculosis with pleural scarring.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of COPD, bronchitis, urinary disorder (UTI), or dysrhythmia (chest pain) and there is no evidence linking these conditions to service. The preponderance of the evidence is against the claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back disorder, COPD, and diabetes. The decision found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for a back disorder, and concluded that there was insufficient medical evidence linking the Veteran's current conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for tinnitus or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/chronic bronchitis/emphysema, and there was no indication of service connection based on exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a scheduling issue for a hearing. The issues of service connection and special monthly pension are addressed in separate decisions.