COPD decisions — 2015

The Veteran's lung disorder, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is being remanded for further examination to determine if it is related to service exposure to diesel fumes and asbestos. The AOJ will also attempt to obtain relevant medical records from the Veteran.

The Veteran's diagnosed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with emphysema and bronchitis are not etiologically related to his active military service.

The Veteran's diagnosed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with emphysema and bronchitis are not etiologically related to his active military service.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a lung disability, including asthma and COPD. The VA examiner did not consider the in-service diagnosis of asthma, so the claim must be remanded to provide a new examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations. The primary issues are the service connection for a respiratory disorder, including bronchitis and COPD, secondary to Agent Orange exposure, and an increased rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, and he did not have a pending claim for benefits at the time of his death. Therefore, he is not eligible for nonservice-connected burial benefits.

The Board found that the Veteran's current asthma and COPD are not related to his military service, including in-service asbestos exposure or service-connected pleural plaques. The acquired psychiatric disability is also not related to his military service, specifically his service-connected pleural plaques.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100% effective September 18, 2012.,The Veteran's asbestosis with COPD and chronic bronchitis is rated at 100% effective May 28, 2013.

The Veteran's respiratory disability, diagnosed as asthma and COPD, was not found to be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus or exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and respiratory disabilities, finding that there was no current disability meeting VA criteria for a hearing loss disability or COPD. The examiner opined that the Veteran's COPD is less likely caused by his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records from the Madison VAMC and scheduling a videoconference hearing on the issue of service connection for COPD.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. No decisions were made on the merits of any claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lung condition, finding that his lung condition is not due to any incident of his active duty service or caused by a service-connected disability. The Board also found that he did not incur additional permanent disability as a result of VA treatment for a left eye cataract.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's request to withdraw his appeal for service connection for COPD is granted. The claim of service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected CAD is denied. For the entire initial rating period from June 8, 2012, a 10 percent disability rating for left leg scars and a 10 percent disability rating for chest scar are granted. A TDIU is granted effective July 24, 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected respiratory disability, including emphysema and COPD, is secondary to asbestos exposure. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has decided the case requires further development due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new one must be conducted.

The Veteran's cause of death is listed as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The Board finds that further development is needed to determine if the COPD was related to service, including potential herbicide exposure in Thailand.

The Board found that the Veteran's chronic respiratory disability, including PVD, interstitial lung disease, and COPD, was not incurred in or aggravated by service due to exposure to welding fumes and/or asbestos. The acquired psychiatric disability claim is also denied as there is no evidence linking it to service-connected conditions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's lung disorder, including COPD and emphysema, is related to his military service, specifically his exposure to oil fires and burn pits.,Osteoporosis is caused by treatment for service-connected COPD.

The Veteran's cause of death was due to metastatic liver cancer, which is not service-connected. The respiratory failure and COPD are also not service-connected.