COPD decisions — 2014

The Board found that the cause of death, cardiorespiratory arrest due to pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, was not caused by or substantially contributed to by any condition incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's lung disorder, COPD, and smoke inhalation are not linked to his active service. The kidney disorder was also not linked to his service. Therefore, both claims for service connection were denied.

Service connection is granted for HTN and left hip degenerative changes, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.,No current disorder manifested by vertigo/dizziness was found. Service connection is denied for this condition.,Tension headaches are not related to service or exposure to toxins/undiagnosed illness. Service connection is denied.

The Board determined that the Veteran's hearing loss did not warrant a compensable rating, and denied his claims for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea and COPD.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting examinations for his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for COPD, including as due to Agent Orange exposure, is being remanded for further development and an examination.

The Board has determined that the application for VA payment or reimbursement was timely filed. However, the merits of the claim for reimbursement under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1725 must be remanded to allow further development and adjudication.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and effective date of Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) under 38 U.S.C.A. Chapter 35 were denied as there was no evidence to support earlier effective dates than October 11, 2005.

The Veteran's COPD was rated at 10 percent prior to October 9, 2012. Since then, the disability has been rated at 60 percent due to worsening symptoms and inability to perform post-bronchodilator spirometry tests.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for service connection for various conditions, including respiratory issues and gastrointestinal problems. The Board has remanded the case to allow the Veteran to appear at a videoconference hearing.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing records and the need for clarification on the relationship between the Veteran's COPD and service-connected tuberculosis.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether PTSD caused or aggravated any of the Veteran's causes of death, including congestive heart failure, COPD, renal insufficiency, and hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's COPD is related to service, specifically his exposure to asbestos in service. The claim will be reconsidered with a medical opinion.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, COPD, emphysema, and a back disability are granted. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for COPD and vertigo, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus to service. Service connection was granted for GERD.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine if the appellant (Veteran's spouse) is a proper claimant for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred by the Veteran at a non-VA facility. The appeal will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine the Veteran's exposure to herbicides and whether his death was related to service-connected conditions or other causes. The case is REMANDED for these actions.

The Board found that the Veteran's COPD did not manifest in service or be causally related to an event in service other than smoking, which may not form the basis for a service connection award.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for inactive pulmonary tuberculosis with COPD was granted, effective from March 3, 2006. Service connection for residuals of shell fragment wound of the lung is denied.