COPD decisions — 2015

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused or substantially contributed to by any service-connected disability, as his cause of death was due to chronic edema/venous stasis and immobility from arthritis. The service-connected disabilities did not play a material role in causing his death.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and remanded the remaining claims, including heart conditions other than ischemic heart disease (IHD), erectile dysfunction, and COPD secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal, so the case is dismissed.

The Board finds that the Veteran's COPD is not related to service, including exposure to asbestos. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's current lung disorder is causally or etiologically related to his military service.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease, presumed due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam, contributed substantially to his cardiopulmonary arrest and death from COPD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including BOOP and COPD, is being remanded due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration records and provide further development.

The Veteran's COPD was not incurred in service and is not etiologically related to service, specifically exposure to jet fuels.

The Veteran's diagnosed emphysema and COPD did not have its clinical onset in service and is not otherwise related to active duty or to the Veteran's service-connected asbestosis.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected chronic bronchitis with COPD is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an updated examination.

The Veteran's death was caused by alcoholic liver disease, with contributory causes of hepatocellular carcinoma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The appellant claims that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD aggravated his alcohol abuse, leading to his liver disease.

The Board has remanded the case due to confusion regarding representation and notification of the Statement of the Case. The Veteran's attorney needs more time to respond or provide additional evidence, and any relevant VA treatment records should be associated with the claims file.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew it prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD, claimed as due to asbestos exposure, was not present during service and is not related to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of formal finding regarding herbicide exposure and will need to determine if the Veteran can be presumed exposed. The claims for service connection for COPD, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension will then be reconsidered based on this determination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for hearing loss or an increased rating for tinnitus, and denied all other claims.

The Veteran's vasomotor rhinitis with sinusitis warrants staged ratings of 10 percent, but no higher, prior to February 19, 2015, and (an increased) 30 percent, but no higher, from that date. The case is REMANDED for further development regarding the Veteran's respiratory disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and new theories of service connection. The Veteran's COPD with bronchitis may be related to his smoking, but not necessarily to his military service. His skin condition is also being reviewed for possible service connection.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as secondary to diabetes mellitus and/or coronary artery disease (CAD).,Diabetic retinopathy is found to be related to diabetes mellitus.,There is insufficient evidence to establish a service connection for chronic bronchitis.

The Veteran died of causes related to his service-connected conditions, including PTSD and CAD. The Board is remanding the case for a supplemental opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The Veteran's respiratory problems are diagnosed as COPD and bronchitis, but there is no evidence to support a connection between these conditions and his military service.