COPD decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a pulmonary disorder, including asbestosis, COPD and interstitial lung disease (ILD), is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include schizophrenia and depression, as well as for a respiratory disorder, to include asthma and COPD. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, COPD, and a skin condition. The decision is based on lack of evidence of exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange) during his active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and provide the Veteran with a VA examination regarding his claimed left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, hemorrhoids, COPD, and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and rhinitis are considered to have contributed substantially and materially to his cause of death. The Board has determined that the criteria for a TDIU prior to October 21, 2009 are met.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including arthritis and paralysis from the chest down, prostate and bladder disorders, blood disorder, lung disorder (including emphysema and COPD), hepatitis C, heart disorder, and Meniere's disease. The decision found that these conditions were not related to service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records, as well as resolving inconsistencies in the medical opinions provided. The Veteran will also be afforded a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his COPD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, a disability manifested by chronic sinus and allergy problems, and a skin disability, to include photo dermatitis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current respiratory disability, or any such disability during the period on appeal. Therefore, service connection for a respiratory disability is denied.

The Veteran's lung disorders, hypertension, and melanoma are being remanded for additional development as the VA examinations did not consider all relevant evidence or provide adequate rationale.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling a VA examination to address the relationship between his service-connected conditions and asbestos exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected disabilities, and none of the conditions which were the causes of his death can be presumptively service-connected or connected on a direct basis. The evidence does not support the Appellant's contentions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow for a Board hearing due to the recent receipt of his claims file and changes in scheduling needs. The issues include service connection for various conditions.

The Veteran was not service-connected for any disabilities at his time of death, and therefore did not meet the threshold requirement for entitlement to special monthly compensation for aid and attendance or total disability based on individual unemployability. The claims are denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's pleural plaques did not result in any symptoms and therefore denied an initial compensable rating for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and records. The Veteran's cause of death was cardiorespiratory arrest, but the Appellant contends that his disabilities (including prostate cancer, coronary vascular disease, COPD, claudication, pulmonary fibrosis, cardiomegaly, BPH, and renal insufficiency) were related to service, including as a result of exposure to herbicides. The Board will determine if these disabilities are subject to the presumption of service connection due to herbicide exposure and whether they contributed substantially or materially to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's attorney has withdrawn the appeal regarding his claims for service connection for COPD as a result of asbestos exposure, asthma, and sinusitis. As such, these claims are dismissed.

The Veteran's respiratory condition is not service connected as it is linked to her long-term smoking habit.,Clubbing of fingernails and toenails are considered secondary to the respiratory condition.

The Veteran's current diagnosis of COPD was not present during his service and there is no evidence linking it to service, including exposure to herbicides. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding in favor of service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current COPD and lung nodules are not related to service, including exposure to asbestos or herbicides. The preponderance of evidence shows that these conditions are due to smoking.