COPD decisions — 2016

The Veteran requested withdrawal of his appeal for the issues seeking service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and chronic skin disease. The Board has dismissed these appeals.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of her respiratory disability.

The Board finds that the Veteran's respiratory disability, including asbestosis and COPD, is not related to service or any incident during service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding in favor of service connection.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for COPD and emphysema, finding new and material evidence. The Veteran's lung disability is being considered on its merits as a direct service connection case.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was caused by cardiopulmonary arrest, pneumonia, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. These conditions are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing their onset in service or within a year of separation from service. The cause of death is presumed to be related to Agent Orange exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's death and updating information on the appellant's income.

The Veteran's GERD, hypertension, and respiratory disability (claimed as COPD) are all found to have originated during his period of active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current respiratory pathology is not consistent with asbestos or mercury exposure and concluded that her pulmonary fibrosis, emphysema, and COPD are not related to service.

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

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative bone disease, lung disorder (granulomata of the lungs with COPD), hypertension, heart disorder, headaches, depression as secondary to other medical conditions, flat feet, low back disorder, and bilateral leg disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service or any in-service exposure.

The Veteran's current respiratory disabilities of COPD, asthma, and pleural scarring/nodules are due to in-service use of tobacco products and were manifest during service. The Board finds that the criteria for service connection have been met.

The Board has granted service connection for allergic rhinitis and denied the increased rating claim. The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is considered to have been incurred in service, while his COPD and chronic bronchitis are found not related to service.

The Veteran's lung disability is presumed due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. However, the VA has not provided a medical opinion linking his current respiratory condition to service or to herbicide exposure. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD has been granted, but the appeal is dismissed as there are no specific allegations of error in the determination.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, but the claim of service connection for a respiratory disorder (including COPD) requires further development due to potential exposure to asbestos during military service.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is granted service connection. Service connection for a respiratory disorder, including COPD and asbestosis, is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lung disease due to asbestos exposure is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and determining the nature of his exposure to asbestos during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a testicular disorder that resulted in a right orchiectomy was denied. The Board found no evidence of an in-service injury or event and no evidence that the removal of the Veteran's testicle is related to service. For his skin cancer and COPD claims, VA will schedule the Veteran for examinations to determine if they are related to exposure to herbicides during service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of COPD and determined that it is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a right arm disorder and finds that new and material evidence has been submitted. The claims for COPD, left elbow disorder, and left hand disorder are not supported by competent medical evidence.