COPD decisions — 2015

The Board found that the Veteran's COPD was not related to service, including his in-service exposure to asbestos. The bilateral eye disability claim is pending and will be addressed after additional development.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed bilateral hip disability, COPD, and hypertension were not present during his period of active duty or for many years thereafter, and provided evidence against their relationship to his service.

The Veteran's lung condition and sleep apnea are being remanded for additional development as the Board does not have the medical expertise to determine their etiology. The claims will be reviewed again after this development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's respiratory disability claims, including bronchitis and COPD. The Veteran needs to provide VA treatment records and identify all medical providers who have treated him for respiratory problems since separation from service in 1959. An appropriate examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any respiratory disability.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as he had retired from his job as a psychological therapist, and there is no evidence that the service-connected PTB with COPD prevented him from obtaining or retaining employment.

The appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's service-connected COPD is currently rated at 10 percent, and the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board found no evidence of a sinus condition in service and no credible evidence that the Veteran's current sinus condition is related to his military service. The claims for COPD, asthma, and hypertension were denied as there was insufficient evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute substantially to his death due to COPD, prostate cancer, and chronic kidney disease. The examiner concluded that these conditions were less likely related to military service.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional records from Dr. Castillo and other treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a statement of the case regarding service connection for COPD and chronic bronchitis, as well as a VA examination for his respiratory disorders.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spondylosis with foraminal stenosis and for rotator cuff tendonitis and subsequent osteoarthritis of the left shoulder. The claim for respiratory disability, to include COPD, was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board found that the Veteran's respiratory disabilities did not meet the criteria for service connection, as they were not related to his active duty or National Guard service. The evidence does not support a finding of exposure to herbicides during Vietnam and there is no direct evidence linking the current conditions to service.

The Board found that COPD and prostate disability were not incurred or aggravated by service, including exposure to herbicides or asbestos. The claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine his exposure to herbicides and service in Vietnam, as well as the nature of any psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated private treatment records and a VA examination to address the onset of his respiratory disorders and their relationship to service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for lung disease. The Veteran's COPD is considered to be a result of breathing particulate matter during his supervisory work in service as a civil engineer on major construction projects.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current eye condition or COPD related to service. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an eye condition is denied, and his claim for service connection for COPD remains denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension, erectile dysfunction (ED), flatfeet, and COPD did not manifest in service or otherwise relate to service. As such, these claims for service connection are denied.