COPD decisions — 2013

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain his complete service personnel records and to provide a VA examination for gastrointestinal disorders. The issues of entitlement to service connection for the claimed conditions are pending.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a lung disability, including COPD and pulmonary fibrosis, which he claims is related to his in-service asbestos exposure. The Board previously denied this claim due to the VA examiner's opinion that it was more likely caused by nicotine dependence than asbestos exposure.

The Board has requested an expert medical opinion and is remanding the case for further development. The Veteran's claims for service connection are pending.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's COPD is related to his active military service, including credible reports of in-service asbestos exposure. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran was exposed to ionizing radiation during service and whether any such exposure caused or contributed to his claimed disabilities. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board found that the Veteran's COPD and cervical spine disability were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The lumbar spine disability was rated at 20% based on its current manifestations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for COPD, sinusitis with allergic rhinitis, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity have been granted effective June 6, 2012.

The Veteran's pleural scarring from right spontaneous pneumothorax is service-connected, and his COPD is also service-connected as a new and material condition. The initial rating for radiculopathy of the right upper extremity has been granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. The issue of burial benefits in excess of $300.00 is without jurisdiction.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address his claims of service connection and evaluations for various conditions, including tinnitus, diverticular disease, PTSD, COPD with sleep apnea, and coronary artery disease.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current respiratory disability (COPD) was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and may not be presumed to have been caused by service exposure. The VA examination report concluded that the COPD is less likely as not related to asbestos exposure during service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's peripheral vascular disease, hypertension, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are not related to his service or any incident of service origin. The preponderance of evidence shows these conditions began many years after service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a lung disease, but denied the underlying claim as there is no evidence to support a direct relationship between his current lung conditions and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for COPD and Interstitial Lung Disease, finding that the Veteran's death was not caused by or substantially related to his military service.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical records and to provide the Veteran with examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed lumbar spine disability and COPD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD/emphysema is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a VA opinion regarding whether his COPD/emphysema is related to service or service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated VA treatment records and to schedule the appellant for a VA examination to determine if his COPD and respiratory sleep condition are related to service, including exposure to asbestos.

The Board denied service connection for COPD and hypertension, finding that these conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by service and are not related to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to his death while the appeal was pending.

The Veteran's reactive airway dysfunction syndrome is found to be related to exposure to tear gas during service, and the claim for service connection for this condition is granted. The issue of service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease remains pending.