COPD decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his service-connected knee disabilities, including insomnia and COPD. The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to address the etiology of these conditions and their relationship to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's chronic respiratory disability, including asthma, COPD, allergic rhinitis and acute respiratory distress, was neither incurred in nor aggravated by service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current pulmonary conditions, including COPD and bronchitis, are not related to his active service or exposure to herbicides. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the initial compensable disability rating for COPD with chronic bronchitis. The right ear hearing loss is currently rated as Level IV, which corresponds to a noncompensable rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not cause or contribute substantially to his death due to coronary pulmonale and pulmonary hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and readjudicating the claims with consideration of all evidence. The Veteran's appeal is now pending again.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his contributory causes (COPD, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and hypertension) were not related to military service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's COPD, also claimed as emphysema, is found to be etiologically related to active service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma and COPD, finding that new and material evidence was received. The Board also granted service connection for both conditions as they are directly related to active service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran's current COPD did not manifest during service or for many years thereafter, and there was no evidence of a nexus between this disorder and active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current respiratory condition is not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides. The claim was denied as there is no evidence of a chronic lung disorder during or immediately after service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a major depressive disorder and PTSD was reopened, but the claims for hypertension, CAD, left ventricular dysfunction/congestive heart failure, ulcers, COPD, erectile dysfunction, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hemorrhoids, right foot calluses and corns, and left foot calluses and corns were all denied. The Veteran's claim for a temporary total rating based on the need for convalescence following May 2012 right foot surgery was also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/emphysema due to acute bronchitis and bilateral hearing loss. The decision on the latter issue is pending further action.

The Veteran's service-connected cold injury foot disabilities are considered to have contributed to his death from a cerebral hemorrhage and/or subdural hematoma after a fall.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current COPD and related respiratory disabilities are related to service, as his preexisting COPD worsened during active duty.

The Veteran's claim for an increase in his rating for COPD with bronchitis and bronchiectasis was granted, with a 30 percent rating effective January 20, 2009.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lung disability (COPD) is not service-connected due to a pre-existing condition, and his acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD or depressive disorder) is service-connected based on evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's use of tobacco products was a substantial factor in causing his death, and to obtain financial information from the appellant.

The Board denied reopening the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to lack of new and material evidence, as all submitted evidence was either cumulative or redundant.