COPD decisions — 2012

The Board found that the Veteran's current COPD is not related to his service, including claimed mustard gas exposure. The claim was denied as there was no evidence of full-body exposure to mustard gas or Lewisite during service and the VA examiner concluded that the COPD is less likely than not incurred in service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lung disability. However, the Board found insufficient evidence to establish a direct relationship between the Veteran's current lung disabilities and his active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to clarify the nature and current severity of his respiratory/lung disability and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's heart disease is presumed to have been incurred in service due to herbicide exposure. The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for his coronary artery disease and hypertension, as these conditions are presumed to be related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and residuals of a left wrist fracture) do not preclude him from maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience. The Board finds that the evidence does not support entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during service, and to obtain VA treatment records. The claims for service connection are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected myelodysplasia, which is presumed to be related to Agent Orange exposure during service. The cause of death was respiratory failure due to COPD, with other significant conditions contributing to death including myelodysplasia, cardiomyopathy, and Type II diabetes mellitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and thus denied his claim for service connection for the cause of his death.

The Veteran does not have chronic upper respiratory infections or pneumonia related to service, nor is there evidence of exposure to asbestos, radiation, paint, or other substances that could cause these conditions. The Board finds no basis for granting service connection in this case.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a supplemental medical opinion regarding the most accurate reflection of his lung disease level.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for further development regarding the Veteran's lung disorders, including exposure during service and post-service treatment.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board found that the cause of the Veteran's death, myocardial infarction (MI) with underlying atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and COPD, was not related to any service-connected disability. The preponderance of evidence did not support any theory of entitlement based on in-service exposure or injury.

The Veteran's combined rating for all service-connected disabilities is 80 percent, which meets the minimum percentage requirements for TDIU. The preponderance of evidence supports a finding that his service-connected disabilities render him unemployable.

The Board finds that the Veteran's lung disorder is not related to his period of active service, including any in-service asbestos exposure or Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further development, including a new VA examination and obtaining relevant treatment records.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence is not new and material, thus denying the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for a pulmonary disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an opinion from a VA examiner regarding whether COPD is related to service-connected histoplasmosis and if so, whether it is proximately due to or the result of that condition.

The Board has granted service connection for a respiratory disorder, including asthma and COPD, finding that the condition is at least as likely as not related to service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current pulmonary/respiratory disability, diagnosed as COPD and asbestos-related pleural disease, is not related to his in-service exposure to asbestos. The VA examiner determined it less likely than not that the Veteran's respiratory disorders are due to his short period of service exposure.