COPD decisions — 2014

The Veteran's currently demonstrated asthma with mild COPD is shown to be etiologically related to his active military service in the Persian Gulf.

The Board found that the Veteran's COPD did not manifest during service or due to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, and the Board found that he did not meet the durational requirement for a total disability rating in existence during his lifetime under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a personal hearing due to his failure to appear at the previously scheduled videoconference hearing.

The Board has granted service connection for asbestosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) based on the evidence showing a relationship between these conditions and active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's lung disease and right lung nodule were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of such conditions during his military service. The chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was diagnosed after discharge from service. As a result, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran died in February 2009 due to COPD, with fractured hip and prostate cancer as other significant conditions. The Board found that the cause of death was not service-connected and denied both service connection for cause of death and eligibility for service-connected burial benefits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD was denied as his condition is not related to his military service. The TDIU award was also denied, with the effective date being determined based on when he filed his initial claim rather than when he became unemployable.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination by a pulmonary specialist to determine if the Veteran's COPD is related to his asbestos exposure during service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as the appellant withdrew it prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability substantially contributed to his death from pneumonia, congestive heart failure, atherosclerosis and COPD.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a respiratory disability, including bronchitis, COPD, and emphysema, is being remanded due to the submission of additional evidence not previously considered.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for an acute exacerbation of COPD were covered by VA as the treatment was deemed necessary due to a continued medical emergency and not feasible to transfer to a VA facility.

The Veteran's lung disorder is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a clarifying medical opinion from the examiner who previously examined him.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD, obstructive sleep apnea, and pulmonary hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected asbestosis.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient opinion regarding service connection for COPD, including exposure to asbestos.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and interstitial lung disease. The claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder (COPD) is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's currently diagnosed COPD is not related to service, but granted service connection for asbestosis based on exposure during military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and lung disorder (COPD and bronchial pneumonia) have been granted. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in relative equipoise regarding a causal link between these conditions and in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, sinusitis, and a neck condition were denied. The claim for an increased evaluation for CAD was granted but with limitations.