COPD decisions — 2013

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claims for service connection and determined that he is entitled to service connection for a lung disability, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pleural disease, as a result of asbestos exposure during military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's COPD and GERD claims are remanded due to inadequate opinions in the January 2012 VA examination reports.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for a respiratory disorder, as his current condition is more likely due to tobacco use rather than exposure to herbicides or any incident of service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to evaluate the Veteran's lung cancer residuals. The issue of service connection for COPD is also being remanded as it requires issuance of an SOC.

The Veteran's service connection claims for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asbestosis were denied because there is no evidence of these conditions in service or currently.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, and bronchitis/COPD were not incurred or aggravated during service. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's lung disability, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, did not have onset in service or due to any incident of service. The claim was denied as there is no evidence linking the current conditions to service.

The Board found no evidence of a current cervical/gynecological condition or respiratory disease, to include COPD, and determined that the Veteran's assertions regarding in-service conditions were not supported by competent medical evidence.,Service connection was denied for both the cervical/gynecological condition and the respiratory disorder.

The Veteran's claimed respiratory/pulmonary disabilities are not shown to be related to service, and the Board finds that service connection is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current respiratory disorder, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and bronchitis, was not incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's current respiratory disorder, including COPD and left lung abscess and pneumonia, is not shown to be related to his service in Korea. The VA examiner opined that the Veteran's respiratory issues are less likely due to exposure during service.

The Veteran's nicotine dependence and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease have been granted service connection, effective September 13, 1993. The Board has remanded the case to determine if a TDIU for accrued benefits purposes can be granted based on these conditions.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current COPD or congestive heart failure, as well as whether these conditions are related to service. The Veteran's claims for service connection will be remanded for further action.

The Board finds that the Veteran's valvular heart disease is asymptomatic and does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and asthma, both linked to exposure to Agent Orange, are remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, to include COPD, is remanded due to the need for additional development. His claim for an increased rating for planter warts/callus of the bilateral feet is also remanded.

The Board denied the claim of entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his death was not proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's lung disorders, including COPD, emphysema, and asthma, are being remanded for further development to determine if they are related to his military service, specifically any inservice exposure to asbestos.

The Veteran claims that his current COPD is related to exposure to jet fuels and other environmental agents during service. The VA examiner found the connection less likely than not, citing a past history of cigarette smoking as a factor in the development of COPD.