COPD decisions — 2014

The Board found no evidence of a present disability related to the Veteran's claimed respiratory disease or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and concluded that these conditions were not incurred in service.

The Veteran's death was caused by acute pulmonary edema, chronic ischemic heart disease, high blood pressure, and COPD. The appeal is remanded to obtain a medical opinion on the cause of death and to address the issue of burial benefits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including as due to exposure to Agent Orange, was denied. The VA examiner concluded that COPD is not related to the Veteran's military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of medical expenses incurred at a private hospital is being remanded due to the need for clarification regarding whether a VA facility was feasibly available and if delay in seeking care would have been hazardous.

The Veteran's service did not involve duty or visitation to Vietnam, and there is no evidence of herbicide exposure. The Board finds that diabetes mellitus, COPD, hypertension, and lumbar radiculopathy and carpal tunnel syndrome were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further development regarding in-service asbestos exposure and its potential connection to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that cirrhosis did not have a nexus to his military service and hepatitis C was not acquired during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development regarding his claims of service connection for various conditions due to exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has granted service connection for a respiratory disability, including emphysema and COPD, on the basis that it began during active duty. Service connection for ischemic heart disease due to herbicide exposure is also granted.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability did not cause or contribute substantially to his death. The expert opinion and treating physician's statement at time of death indicate that the immediate causes of death were ischemic cardiomyopathy, heart failure, large abdominal aortic aneurysm, and pulmonary embolus.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, but denied service connection for a bilateral eye disability and COPD. The Veteran's genitourinary disability is not considered within the scope of this decision.

The Veteran's aspergillosis and COPD are not etiologically related to his active service, including asbestos exposure.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD substantially contributed to his death, and thus grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing clarifying opinions from a VA examiner.

The Board has ordered that the claim be reopened due to the receipt of new and material evidence, and remanded for additional development. The case is now being returned to the Board for further appellate review.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have worsened, but the Board has determined that a rating in excess of 50 percent is not warranted prior to January 29, 2011. The claims for service connection for COPD, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral knee arthritis, arthritis of the right wrist, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, back condition, neck condition, pneumonia, and cholinergic urticaria have been withdrawn.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and fibromyalgia are being remanded due to the need for additional development of the evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and issuance of a statement of the case regarding service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board finds that the Veteran's COPD is related to his in-service asbestos exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lung disabilities are related to his in-service asbestos exposure and have granted service connection for these conditions.