COPD decisions — 2013

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records from Dr. Hendrix and clarifying the Veteran's exposure to herbicides in service.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lung disease, and the need for further consideration by the RO.

The Veteran's death was caused by his willful misconduct of abusing prescription medication, which is not service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than October 8, 2003, for the grant of service connection for ischemic heart disease (IHD) due to in-service herbicide exposure has been granted. The effective date is set at March 1, 2001.

The Veteran's COPD and emphysema were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and its incurrence or aggravation on the basis of herbicide exposure during service may not be presumed.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disorder and respiratory impairment. The claims will be reviewed again after additional information is obtained.

The Veteran's COPD is found to be related to his service, and the Board grants service connection for COPD.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and information from the Social Security Administration. The issues of service connection for COPD as secondary to lung cancer are also inextricably intertwined with the current issue.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for COPD treatment at Pulmonary Associates of St. Augustine on September 11, 2012 were denied as VA did not provide prior authorization and the claim was not related to a service-connected disability.

The Board denied service connection for lung disability, including COPD and pulmonary fibrosis, due to asbestos exposure. The decision was made after the Veteran's death.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's COPD and the severity of his service-connected residuals of lung cancer with lobectomy, history of bronchopleural fistula and pneumothorax. The Veteran is also required to provide information about any relevant treatment providers.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion and reviewing recent VA medical records.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a lung disorder, including lung scarring and COPD. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's current lung disorders are related to his exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be incurred in service, while his claims for COPD and cold injuries of the upper extremities were denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lung disability is not related to his military service, including exposure to asbestos. The sinus disability issue was not addressed as it does not involve a claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of a direct relationship between his claimed conditions and his military service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a respiratory disorder, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The Board previously denied the claim due to clear and unmistakable evidence showing that asthma preexisted active duty service and was not aggravated by service. The case is now remanded for clarification of the medical opinion regarding whether there is clear and unmistakable evidence that asthma was not aggravated during service.

The Board found that the Veteran's COPD and sinusitis were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service. The VA examiner determined there was no objective evidence of chronic rhinitis, sinus condition, or respiratory disease on active duty.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, arranging for a pathologist's review of the Veteran's death, and providing an opinion on the causes of his death.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lung and upper respiratory disorders did not have their onset in service or due to exposure to asbestos, cold weather, demolition debris, or other environmental hazards. The claims for service connection were denied.