COPD decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions and outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's death was caused by or contributed to by his service-connected bronchiectasis, which is considered a component of the COPD that led to his death.

The Veteran's liver disability is denied, but he has a respiratory disability and skin disability that are found to be related to his active duty service. The Board gives the Veteran the benefit of the doubt in these cases.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of COPD is not etiologically related to service, including in-service exposure to asbestos. As a result, the claim for service connection for COPD is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a lung disorder, including non-small cell lung cancer and COPD with cystic fibrosis variant, due to exposure to asbestos during military service. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his left shoulder, upper extremity radiculopathy, neck, and hand disabilities are also granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and is requesting further action before making a decision on the service connection for respiratory disorder and the initial rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including chronic fatigue and bilateral hearing loss. The decision found no current disability related to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for COPD were both denied. The Board found that the Veteran had not established entitlement to either benefit.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a videoconference hearing. The claims of service connection for COPD and an increased evaluation for residuals of a fractured fifth right toe will be processed in accordance with the new development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA disability benefits records and scheduling a local hearing.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher evaluation for COPD, bronchiectasis, and chronic bronchitis has been dismissed due to his death before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's respiratory disability, finding that his current condition is etiologically related to his active duty service despite limited service treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, including as due to dust or herbicide exposure, is being remanded for further development and an examination.

The Board finds that the Veteran's respiratory disorders, including COPD and emphysema, were not incurred in service or otherwise related to service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that his current respiratory conditions are due to exposure during military service.

The Board has determined that there is no probative evidence linking the Veteran's COPD to his military service, including any asbestos exposure. Therefore, the claim for service connection for COPD is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of reopening his service connection for degenerative changes of the cervical spine, degenerative changes of the thoracolumbar spine, and COPD with fibrothorax of the left lung due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to clarify the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of his respiratory conditions and mild granulomatous disease.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, including as a qualifying chronic disability under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317, is being remanded due to the need for further development and examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder and respiratory disorder are not related to his military service, thus denying both claims.

The Board denied service connection for COPD and a neurological condition, including multiple sclerosis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions did not have their onset in service or due to a service-connected disability.