COPD decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a new VA medical opinion to determine if any respiratory disability, such as bronchitis and COPD, is related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied service connection for chronic bronchitis and COPD, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's respiratory disorders, including pulmonary fibrosis, emphysema, and COPD, were not service-connected due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a pending claim for service connection at the time of his death.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for asbestosis and granted it. The Veteran's respiratory disability, including asbestosis and COPD, is at least as likely as not related to his period of active service.

The Veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a lung condition resulting from right thoracotomy with right upper lobe wedge resection in February 2004 at a VA Medical Center. The case has been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant treatment records and scheduling an examination.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a heart disorder, diabetes mellitus, or lung disability due to disease or injury incurred in service. The presumptions for herbicide exposure and asbestos exposure do not apply as there is no evidence of actual exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for accelerated silicosis, finding that it had its onset in service. The Veteran's chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and chronic bronchitis are being addressed as secondary to the service-connected accelerated silicosis.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lung condition is not due to any in-service asbestos exposure or otherwise related to his active service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected COPD is found to have contributed substantially and materially to his death from acute pulmonary edema.

The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that asbestosis, which was caused by service exposure to asbestos, contributed substantially or materially to the Veteran's death. The cause of death listed on the initial death certificate was myocardial infarct.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated treatment records and arranging for a VA examination to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for COPD due to asbestos exposure in service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic bronchitis, emphysema, COPD, and recurrent pneumonia as there is no evidence of a lower respiratory condition in service or for many years after service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not have its onset during service or within one year of separation from service and is not otherwise related to service.,There is a preponderance of evidence against a nexus between a current gastrointestinal disability, including GERD, and any incident in service. The Veteran was not exposed to asbestos and/or other toxic chemicals during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current pulmonary disability, including asthma and COPD, is not related to her service. Therefore, she does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and COPD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are at least as likely as not related to his military service. The evidence is in equipoise regarding whether these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to ensure all relevant evidence is considered in the adjudication of the Veteran's claims. Specifically, missing VA treatment records and incomplete examination reports are noted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's respiratory disability, specifically COPD and granulomatous disease.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to have contributed substantially and materially to his death from congestive heart failure, leading the Board to grant service connection for cause of death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development and consideration, including obtaining updated treatment records from his VA medical center and scheduling him for a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.