COPD decisions — 2015

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's COPD and pulmonary fibrosis. The examiner is to consider the October 2012 private opinion provided by Dr. D.L.B., as well as the Veteran's confirmed duties as a petroleum inspector fueling tanks in service.

The Veteran's lung disabilities, including lung cancer, emphysema, and COPD, are presumed to be related to his service due to herbicide exposure. The claim is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional treatment records, as well as clarification on whether service connection can be granted based on exposure to herbicides or PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's respiratory disorders and peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development to assess his functional impairment due to service-connected disabilities and determine if he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder, head injury residuals, type II diabetes mellitus, and tinnitus have been denied. The Board found no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other conditions that would support presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and there is no evidence linking his death to any exposure during active duty.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status is being remanded due to pending service connection claims. The Veteran has claimed service connection for various conditions, including malaria, injuries from a vehicle accident, and placement on 'suicide watch'.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected allergic rhinitis. The Board has granted this claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for TMJ and COPD are being remanded due to the need to obtain missing dental records, provide a new examination for TMJ, and schedule a respiratory examination. The Veteran will be notified of any further action required.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disorder, including asthma and COPD, finding no evidence of such conditions in service or continuity of symptoms since service. The claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for hemorrhoids was also denied.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for any of the claimed conditions, as there is no credible evidence linking them to service or any incident therein.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD and polycythemia vera as secondary to COPD. The Veteran's current conditions are considered due to his active service exposure.

The Veteran died from cardio-respiratory arrest, with an antecedent cause of pneumonia and underlying cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The death certificate listed no service-connected disabilities as the primary or secondary causes. The VA determined that there was insufficient evidence to link any of these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in relative equipoise on whether the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, hypertension, COPD, obstructive sleep apnea, congestive heart failure, and asthma are secondary to his service-connected organophosphate delayed onset injuries. As such, these claims have been granted.

The Board denied service connection for COPD and asbestosis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service or asbestos exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current respiratory disability, including emphysema and COPD, is at least as likely as not related to his military service. The evidence supports a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation of pneumonia, which led to the development of his current respiratory condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for COPD, heart disability, and bilateral shoulder disability. The decision was based on a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current breathing problems and throat condition are not related to his military service, including exposure to asbestos and cement dust.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for COPD due to inadequate examination and reasoning. The issue of service connection for left ear hearing loss remains granted.