COPD decisions — 2011

The Veteran is seeking service connection for COPD and Parkinson's disease, which he claims are related to in-service exposure. The appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidence including SSA records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and there is no evidence that VA medical treatment contributed to his death. The cause of death was pneumonia.

The Board denied reopening the claim of service connection for COPD due to asbestos exposure, and denied all other issues on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected COPD and burn scar do not render him unemployable, as his combined evaluation is only 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for a supplemental VA medical opinion to address the etiology of the Veteran's claimed respiratory disorder, specifically whether COPD is related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for a DRO hearing and further development, as requested by the Veteran. The appeal will be reconsidered after this process.

The Veteran died from non-small cell carcinoma of the lung, with COPD and emphysema as contributing conditions. The appellant seeks service connection for the cause of death due to asbestos exposure in service.

The Veteran's death was caused by cardiopulmonary arrest, with severe COPD as the underlying cause. The appellant claims that VA-prescribed medications were administered in excessive dosages and hastened his death. The case is being remanded to secure additional medical records for review.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a disability evaluation of 70 percent effective from April 6, 2009. The appeal for TDIU is pending.

The Veteran's respiratory disorder, including residuals of bronchial pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, was not manifested during active service or until many years thereafter. The Board denied the claim as there is no compelling evidence that led to the belief that the Veteran's pulmonary condition was an acute or chronic problem at that time.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence received after a previous denial of service connection for COPD. The Veteran is requested to provide additional medical records and personnel information, as well as authorization for VA treatment records from Rome Memorial Hospital and the Social Security Administration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lung conditions, including asbestosis and COPD, are not related to his service aboard the USS Coral Sea. The VA examiner found no direct evidence of asbestos exposure during service and concluded that any current lung condition is less likely than not caused by or a result of service.

The Veteran's service-connected asbestosis/emphysema resulted in the need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to resultant helplessness caused by mental and physical impairment, including inability to dress/undress himself, feed himself due to extreme weakness, and attend to the wants of nature.

The Board found that the Veteran's lung disorder, including COPD and asthma, was not related to his service or exposure to asbestos. Bilateral hearing loss was also not related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and providing formal notice of the information and evidence necessary to reopen his service connection claims.

Service connection for a chronic lung disability, claimed as bronchitis and COPD, is not established.,Service connection for an upper respiratory infection is not established.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to incomplete records and a need to clarify the Veteran's service connection theory.

The Veteran seeks service connection for interstitial lung disease, which he claims is related to his exposure to herbicides during his Vietnam service. The claim will be remanded as there is insufficient medical evidence to determine the relationship between the current respiratory disability and military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic emphysema is pending, his increased disability evaluation for minimal inactive chronic pulmonary tuberculosis has been denied, and the TDIU claim remains unresolved.