COPD decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is not related to his military service and does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's lung condition, diagnosed in 2004 and attributed to COPD, is not considered an additional disability resulting from VA care. The Board found that the treatment did not cause or worsen his current condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's current respiratory disorders are not related to his military service, including exposure to asbestos and in-service pneumonia.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability related to his service, and therefore denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD and a respiratory disability, including COPD, asthma, and sinusitis are being remanded due to inadequate development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current respiratory disability, including as a result of asbestos exposure in service, is not related to his military service and has denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's statements were less than credible regarding his in-service hand injury and denied service connection for a right hand disability. The Board also found no evidence of a current back disability causally related to active service, attributing it to age. Finally, the Board concluded there was no evidence linking COPD to active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for a more current VA examination and review of outstanding treatment records. The case will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding his claimed ischemic heart disease and COPD. The VA examiner will need to determine the etiology of any diagnosed heart condition, including whether it is related to service-related chest pain in December 1977. For COPD, the VA examiner should reconcile the July 2012 VA examination opinion with Dr. G.'s opinions regarding pleural and lung scarring.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for asbestosis and secondary service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion on whether COPD is secondary to asbestosis.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent, effective February 26, 2010. The claim for COPD service connection is pending and not decided.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for a lung disorder, finding that new and material evidence had not been received. The Veteran submitted lay statements and VA/VA records, but these were deemed insufficient to meet the criteria for reopening the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his respiratory disabilities, including bronchial asthma and COPD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, to include as secondary to asbestos exposure and service-connected pleural plaques, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for asbestosis and COPD, finding that there is no current diagnosis of asbestosis and that COPD is not related to service or asbestos exposure.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD has been medically linked to a verified in-service stressor and fear of hostile military or terrorist activities, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a respiratory examination and medical opinions regarding the relationship between his service-connected asbestos pleural disease and any other diagnosed respiratory disabilities.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the service-connected asthma could have aggravated COPD.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain medical opinions addressing whether the Veteran's death was caused by an accidental overdose of pain medication, and if so, whether VA negligence or fault contributed to it. The appellant also raised a theory that service-connected back injuries may have contributed to her husband's post-service back condition.