COPD decisions — 2013

The Board found that the Veteran's death due to COPD was not etiologically linked to his service or any incidents therein, including exposure to asbestos and/or chemical dioxins.

The Board found that the Veteran's respiratory causes of death (respiratory failure, pneumonia, lung cancer, and COPD) are not service-connected. The in-service exposure to asbestos is considered but does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD was incurred during his second period of active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board is remanding the case to develop evidence related to service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, including whether COPD developed in service or is otherwise causally related to service and whether morphine prescribed for service-connected disabilities contributed to the cause of death.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining physical evaluation records from the Veteran's employer and providing a VA pulmonologist with an opinion regarding the etiology of any current respiratory disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's respiratory disorder, including COPD and bronchial asthma. The examiner must assume that the Veteran's preexisting respiratory condition was aggravated by service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lung disability and entitlement to SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or by reason of being housebound, finding no evidence of a current lung disability related to service.

The Board has determined that the appellant was in need of aid and attendance prior to her March 27, 2008 claim for benefits. As such, an effective date of March 27, 2008 is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the onset of the Veteran's currently diagnosed COPD, and a new VA examination is required.

The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that the Veteran currently has a lung disability related to his military service, including in-service exposure to asbestos, cleaning chemicals, and diesel fuel fumes.

The Board found that the Veteran's respiratory disorder, including asbestosis and COPD, did not originate during service or due to exposure to asbestos. The VA examination provided an opinion against a direct relationship between his current respiratory condition and service.

The Veteran's lung disorder, diagnosed as COPD and empyema, was not incurred in or aggravated by service, including exposure to Agent Orange. The claim is denied.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology of COPD, hypertension, colon cancer, and prostate disability (to include BPH) as secondary to service-connected residuals of PTB. The Veteran's claims for these conditions are currently under review.

The Board found that the Veteran's current respiratory disorders, including COPD and chronic bronchitis, are not related to his service or treatment for pneumonia and acute bronchitis therein. The VA examiner opined that it is less likely as not that these conditions were caused by or a result of his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and diabetes mellitus were denied. The claim to reopen a neuromuscular disorder was not granted, and the claim for an appendectomy scar did not result in a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of medical evidence and need for further development. The issues include headaches, COPD, and heart disability.

The Veteran's death was not caused by or substantially or materially contributed to by a disability incurred in or aggravated by his military service, including asbestos exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of COPD or any other claimed conditions related to service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including whether they are related to service or exposure to herbicides.