COPD decisions — 2013

The Board found that the evidence did not establish a service connection for the cause of death due to pneumonia, COPD, or bronchietasis. However, new and material evidence was submitted which reopened the claim.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for COPD, residuals of burn injury of the hands, and ganglion cyst of the right wrist. The new evidence includes VA hospital records from 1981 that show a lacerated ganglion cyst on the Veteran's right wrist which was treated in-service. This raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of COPD has been granted, with a 60 percent disability rating effective October 9, 2012.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claim for service connection for mitral valve prolapse and granted service connection for hypertension, COPD, and osteoporosis.

The Board denied service connection for COPD and lung cancer, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are not attributable to his military service. The evidence did not support a link between his claimed conditions and exposure to carbon tetrachloride during service.

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death, COPD, was not related to his period of service and denied claims for DIC benefits, accrued benefits, and VA pension.

The Board found that the Veteran's COPD was not incurred in or aggravated by service, including as secondary to asbestos exposure and his service-connected pleural plaques. The claim for service connection for COPD is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sarcoidosis, COPD, and depression are not related to service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and a need for an opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's asthma disorder.

The Veteran claims service connection for COPD, which he contends is due to asbestos exposure during his Navy service. The Board has determined that further development is necessary to corroborate the claimed asbestos exposure and to determine the nature and etiology of any current pulmonary disorder.

The Board has determined that service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is warranted as his respiratory failure, which was due to COPD and obesity, had its onset during his military service.

The Veteran's TB and COPD are service-connected, with the COPD being secondary to his TB. The Veteran received a total disability rating for his chest condition due to mycobacterium avium complex effective November 7, 2008.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to service and have denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's asthma has been manifested by daily inhalational or oral bronchodilator therapy, but not FEV-1 of 40 to 55 percent predicted or FEV-1/FVC of 40 to 55 percent, intermittent course of systemic (oral or parenteral) corticosteroids, or monthly care by a physician for exacerbations. The criteria for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for asthma have not been met.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of hernia, ulnar neuropathy, and osteomyelitis. The Board also dismissed the claim to reopen service connection for low back disability due to withdrawal.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lung disorder is not related to his service or exposure to herbicides, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory disabilities, including COPD and bronchitis, are not related to his service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and residuals of pneumonia including lung disease due to lack of evidence showing chronic in-service symptoms or a relationship between current conditions and service.

The Veteran's dysthymic disorder (also diagnosed as depression and anxiety) is found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The Veteran also has COPD, which he contends was caused by asbestos exposure during military service. Service connection for both conditions is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including his right knee and ankle disabilities, respiratory disability, tinnitus, and anxiety disorder, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence did not show continuity of symptomatology for any of these conditions since service.