COPD decisions — 2014

The Veteran's asbestosis, COPD, and emphysema are granted service connection. Ischemic heart disease is not found to be related to service or herbicide exposure. Hypertension is also not found to be related to service.

The Board denied service connection for COPD and pulmonary fibrosis on a direct basis due to lack of evidence in the literature supporting an association with paint fume exposure during service.

The Board found no evidence of a relationship between the Veteran's respiratory disabilities and his active duty service, including exposure to herbicides or asbestos. The preponderance of the evidence supports denial of the claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's COPD and asbestosis are not related to his military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current respiratory conditions, including COPD and asthma, did not develop during his period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA). The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a respiratory disorder (claimed as COPD and asthma), or a lumbar spine disability (residuals of a lumbar laminectomy).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for COPD is granted, based on direct service connection. The case was remanded due to a need for an opinion regarding whether pulmonary fibrosis may have aggravated or caused other respiratory conditions.

The Board denied DIC benefits based on service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that neither his asbestos-related lung disease nor his left humerus fracture was a principal or contributory cause of his death. The heart problems and COPD were not related to these conditions.

The Veteran's skin disorder, including tinea versicolor and tinea pedis, is found to have been incurred during service.,Headaches are determined to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records from Luke Air Force Base and Clark Air Force Base. The Veteran's cause of death is being reviewed by a VA pulmonologist to determine if it is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including cervical spine and hand conditions, prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a respiratory disorder, claimed as breathing problems due to asbestos exposure, and his claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss are being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain private medical records and VA treatment records, as well as to review the claims file for any errors in adjudication. The Veteran's claims will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board found that the Veteran's current pulmonary disorder, including chronic bronchitis and COPD, is not causally related to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's psoriasis and fungal infection, claimed as a skin rash, were incurred during service. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against finding that bronchitis or COPD had its onset during service or is otherwise related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service personnel records and medical opinions regarding the cause of death. The burial benefits claim is inextricably intertwined with the issue of service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD was incurred during service and grants service connection for COPD.

The Veteran's appeal concerning sinusitis, asthma, and Barrett's esophagus with hiatal hernia and GERD is dismissed. The claim of service connection for COPD is reopened and granted.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain medical records from Dr. R.D.L., and to provide a medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's death and his service.

The Board denied service connection for CAD, sleep apnea, and COPD as not incurred or aggravated by active service. The Veteran's conditions were found to be not related to herbicide exposure in Thailand.