COPD decisions — 2014

The Board found that the Veteran's current respiratory disorders, diagnosed as COPD and emphysema, were not incurred in or aggravated by his active military service, including due to asbestos exposure. The VA examiner concluded that the preponderance of evidence did not support a connection between the Veteran's current conditions and his service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD with emphysema is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his exposure claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current respiratory condition, diagnosed as COPD, is not related to his service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's death was due to peritonitis and perforated sigmoid diverticulitis, with significant conditions of COPD and stage IV esophageal cancer. The cause of these disabilities is not related to his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's claims for COPD, PTSD, short-term memory loss, chronic fatigue, tumors, and sleep disorder were denied as the evidence does not support a current disability or link to service.

The Veteran's current respiratory disorders, including asthma and COPD, were not incurred in or aggravated by his active service. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of a chronic respiratory disease in service and there was no credible medical nexus relating the Veteran's current conditions to any incident during service.

The Veteran's death was caused by respiratory failure resulting from COPD, which the VA medical examiner opined was at least as likely as not caused or substantially contributed to by his military asbestos exposure. Service connection for COPD is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The Board found no evidence of a lung disability, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, during service or within one year post-service. The Veteran's current condition is not linked to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and sleep apnea, including consideration of exposure to Agent Orange during active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his previously denied service connection for COPD as secondary to nicotine addiction, finding no new and material evidence.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for PTSD and finds that new and material evidence has been received. The Veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety disorder NOS, bipolar disorder, and COPD, is being considered as part of this reopening.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination. The issue of service connection for COPD will be reconsidered after this.

The Veteran's current respiratory disorders, including COPD and PTB, are not service-connected as they were not incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is not related to herbicide exposure or any other incident of service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder contributed substantially to his death from COPD, and thus grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss disability and her residuals of a right tympanic membrane perforation are service connected. The claim for COPD is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the percentage rating standards for a TDIU and his unemployability is due to his service-connected conditions, resulting in an award of TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD and emphysema, including as due to exposure to mustard gas during basic training, is being remanded for further development. The case will be reviewed by a VA examiner to determine the etiology of any current respiratory disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new examinations and a review of his claims file.