COPD decisions — 2013

The Veteran's bronchial asthma and COPD have been granted service connection, but the assigned initial disability rating of 30 percent is maintained. The claim for an increased rating remains denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The issue of service connection for residuals of lung cancer will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not substantially or materially contribute to his death, and his death was not caused by a disability incurred or aggravated during active service. The causes of the Veteran's death were determined to be unrelated to any service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to his in-service injury and the RO confirmed this determination.,New and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for residuals of a right foot injury.

The Board found that none of the Veteran's service-connected conditions were listed as immediate or underlying causes of death. The evidence did not support a grant of service connection for the cause of death due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current pulmonary disorders, including asthma and COPD, are directly related to his military service. The medical evidence supports this conclusion.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's lung disabilities, including COPD and asthma. The claim will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with asthmatic bronchitis, pain disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with Crohn's disease, and allergic rhinitis, have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that he is entitled to a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for hearing loss, chronic bronchitis, or hypertension. The claims of service connection for psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), neck condition, COPD, sinus and allergy problems, left knee condition, right knee condition, right shoulder condition, skin disorder, and hypertension are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his lung cancer, which caused his death, is presumed to be related to his exposure to Agent Orange during military service.

The Veteran's lung disorder, including COPD and emphysema, is being remanded for further examination to determine if it is related to asbestos exposure in service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to determine if any current respiratory disorder, including asthma, bronchitis, pleurisy, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung disease, is related to service or secondary to in-service herbicide exposure. The examiner should also consider whether the preexisting respiratory disorder underwent an increase in disability during service.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for emphysema/COPD, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, CAD, trigeminal neuralgia, and PAD are all denied as they do not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension at the housebound rate is denied as he does not have a single permanent disability rated 100 percent disabling under the Schedule for Rating Disabilities, nor is he permanently housebound by reason of his disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and adjudicative action, including obtaining a VA opinion regarding whether the cause of death is related to service or any service-connected disability. The appellant's claim will be readjudicated after the additional development.

The VA determined that the Veteran's death from COPD was not caused by his military service, including presumed exposure to herbicides.

The Board found that the cause of the Veteran's death was not related to his service-connected disabilities, and thus denied entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient evidence regarding his respiratory disorder and PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right knee disability and a respiratory disorder, to include COPD, due to incomplete VA records and insufficient credibility findings in previous determinations.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic respiratory disability during service and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection as his current bronchiectasis is not related to in-service asbestos exposure.