COPD decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran was exposed to mustard gas during service, which could potentially establish service connection for his death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a pulmonologist examination. The issues of service connection for COPD and hypertension are also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's mild restrictive defect is not related to service or a service-connected disability, and his PTSD symptoms do not warrant an evaluation in excess of 70 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current respiratory disabilities, including asthma and COPD, are related to her service. The evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions were incurred during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and a lung disability (to include COPD and emphysema) were denied as there is no evidence of in-service disease or injury, and the current diagnoses are not shown to be related to military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for asthma, COPD, and right hip tendonitis as they are not related to his service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of pulmonary tuberculosis and COPD have been granted a 60 percent disability rating effective March 26, 2013. The initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been maintained prior to March 26, 2013, and the higher initial rating from that date onwards is also granted. Service connection for heart disabilities secondary to residuals of pulmonary tuberculosis is established.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of COPD is related to his service, and he is granted service connection for a pulmonary disability. The rating assigned for hemorrhoids remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD was denied in a previous Board decision. The VA has now reopened the claim based on new evidence, but the issue of whether his current lung condition is related to his in-service collapsed lungs and surgery remains unresolved.

The Board has remanded the case for further adjudication due to a need to obtain additional medical records and conduct other appropriate development.

The Veteran's service treatment records are largely unavailable, but the evidence does not support a finding that his current respiratory disorder or COPD is related to his in-service lung surgery and exposure. The Board finds no nexus between the claimed disability and service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an upper respiratory disability, to include COPD, and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining a medical opinion on the etiology of his disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis and COPD are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records from Rock Island Army Arsenal and SSA records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the claims of service connection for various disabilities, including a low back disability, respiratory disorders, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral hand disabilities. The VA will obtain medical records, provide new examinations, and consider the Veteran's complaints and history in determining the etiology of his conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing. The issues of service connection and TDIU are not addressed in the decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, including COPD, is being remanded due to the need to obtain private treatment records and provide clarification on the nature of his lung condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been shown to prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lung disorder and bilateral hearing loss disability, and has determined that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's physical impairment due to his nonservice-connected conditions requires care or assistance on a regular basis to protect himself from the hazards of daily environment, and the Board has determined that he meets the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, chronic bronchitis, and COPD due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.