COPD decisions — 2013

The Veteran's death was caused by cardiopulmonary arrest, with COPD and hypertension as underlying conditions. The Board has ordered additional development to determine if ischemic heart disease is related to service due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's COPD is found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD, and he is granted SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected respiratory disability. The case will be returned to the Board after this development.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for asthma, but finds that there is no evidence to support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation. The Veteran's current respiratory disabilities are more likely related to post-service tobacco use and obesity hypoventilation syndrome.

The case is being remanded for additional verification of the Veteran's Reserve service dates and obtaining missing service treatment records. The Veteran is also asked to clarify the date of his COPD diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's death and whether his service-connected conditions contributed to it.

The Veteran's COPD is found to be incurred in service due to exposure to welding fumes, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death was not caused by a service-connected condition, as his COPD and pulmonary fibrosis were found to be unrelated to his military service or in-service asbestos exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining relevant VA treatment records and clarifying whether previous lung infections are related to upper respiratory infections in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD as a reclassified entity is granted, but he is not entitled to separate service connection for COPD as a distinct ratable entity.

The Veteran's cause of death was cardio-pulmonary arrest due to acute myocardial infarction, which is not service-connected as there is no evidence linking his heart and lung problems to his military service.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for residuals of a right shoulder injury, joint pain, and migraine headaches. The Veteran's claim for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Board found that there is no current evidence of tinnitus or COPD related to service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a right foot injury and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as there was no evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active service, including exposure to asbestos.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is not related to his service-connected coronary artery disease and thus does not warrant service connection. The Veteran's current COPD was found to be unrelated to his service, and there is no evidence of its onset during service or for many years thereafter.

The Veteran's service-connected bronchial asthma is rated at 60 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The Board also granted a TDIU based on his service-connected conditions.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's claimed conditions to his military service and denied all claims for service connection.

The VA determined that the Veteran's current respiratory disorder is not related to his service or a service-connected condition, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current respiratory conditions are not caused or aggravated by his military service and therefore denies his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's COPD and respiratory sleep condition were not found to be related to his military service or any service-connected conditions.