COPD decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that a new examination is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's COPD, as the previous VA examination was inadequate. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of the Veteran's disabilities. The issues of service connection remain in appellate status.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for COPD, due to exposure to asbestos, has been dismissed as the appellant died before a decision was made.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's asthma, now diagnosed as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, is found to have been aggravated by service. The claim for eczema remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, including bronchitis, emphysema and COPD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has decided the case requires additional development and a new medical opinion before deciding whether the Veteran's current respiratory disability, including COPD, is related to service due to asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including arteriosclerotic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, contributed to his death from COPD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding the Veteran's claim of service connection for COPD, including exposure to asbestos and/or other toxic chemicals. The Veteran provided additional information about his duties as an aircraft mechanic but did not provide specific details on how he was exposed to asbestos.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings for COPD and a scar, as well as service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome. The RO is directed to obtain VA treatment records, conduct a new examination for the left arm scar, and develop the TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the appellant's respiratory disability is related to his period of active duty training (ACDUTRA).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a VA examination to assess the severity of his asbestosis. The issue of TDIU will also be addressed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an opinion on whether the Veteran's service-connected ASHD aggravated his asthma to the extent that it contributed substantially or materially to his death from COPD.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for actinomycosis and COPD, finding that there is no evidence to support a relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory disability, low back disability, neuropathy of the lower extremities, erectile dysfunction, bladder disability, prostate disorder (benign prostatic hypertrophy), and bilateral arm disability are not related to his military service. However, he was exposed to asbestos during service, which is presumed to be a contributing factor in causing his current respiratory disability.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of histoplasmosis with subsequent pulmonary changes is granted. However, the claim for a respiratory disability other than as a residual of histoplosis is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's respiratory conditions, including COPD and asthma, were not incurred or aggravated in service. The VA examiner concluded there was no evidence to support a connection between his current respiratory disorders and his period of active service.

The Veteran's death was caused by acute bronchopneumonia and pulmonary emboli, which were a direct result of an acute hospitalization for surgery to treat colon cancer. The service-connected asthmatic bronchitis with COPD did not accelerate his death; however, the appellant's continued smoking after discharge from military service was the main causative entity in the development of conditions that were fatal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disability, including lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The appeal also addressed increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities.