COPD decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is related to his active service, and thus grants service connection for COPD.

The Board found that the Veteran's COPD is not related to service, including exposure to asbestos and herbicides. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board found no evidence of a service-connected disability that caused or contributed to the Veteran's death. The cause of death was liver failure, with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease listed as significantly contributing.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to service, while his COPD and prostate cancer are not linked to service.,Service connection for a mental health disorder is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated during service. The Board finds that the preexisting condition did not worsen as a result of noise exposure in service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current COPD is not related to his service, including any asbestos or dioxin exposure. The VA examiner opined that it was less likely than not caused by service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including COPD, lumbar spondylosis, carpal tunnel syndrome of the upper extremities, varicose veins, and weakness in the legs, were denied as there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case to schedule a hearing for the Veteran at the Lincoln, Nebraska RO. The Veteran's last clear expression of desire was for a videoconference hearing in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the inadequacy of the November 2010 VA examination, which did not address whether the Veteran's in-service wheezing and shortness of breath were early symptoms of his current COPD.

The Veteran's hypertension and heart disorder are not related to service, including in-service chemical exposure.,The Veteran's fibromyalgia is currently diagnosed but the relationship to service is unclear.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, concluding that the Veteran's current diagnosis was less likely related to his military service and more likely due to smoking. The Board also found no chronic illness during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory condition, including asthma and COPD, was not incurred during active military service or related to any incident of active military service. Therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional records, particularly related to COPD.

The Veteran's lung disability, specifically COPD, is not related to service and the claim for service connection has been denied.

The Veteran's COPD was not shown to be related to his military service, including exposure to asbestos. Service connection for COPD is therefore denied.,The Veteran's CAD has been rated at 30 percent since November 20, 2009 and the criteria for a higher rating are not met.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of medical expenses incurred at a private hospital (CUMC) is denied as he does not have any established service-connected disabilities and the emergency treatment was not necessary due to his condition being stable enough for transfer.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability is granted. The Board finds that the weight of the competent evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran has a current bilateral hearing loss disability related to his military service, including exposure to noise during combat.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and scheduling a respiratory examination to determine if her current respiratory disability is related to her service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ankle arthritis and COPD was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a right ankle injury during service, and his current right ankle arthritis was not etiologically related to service. For COPD, the Board noted the lack of contemporaneous medical records but concluded that it was less likely than not caused by or aggravated by service.

The Board found that the Veteran's COPD, arrhythmia, and hypertension did not meet the criteria for service connection as they were not related to his military service or herbicide exposure. The cause of death was determined to be cardio-pulmonary arrest due to these conditions.