COPD decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran's ischemic heart disease and COPD are not related to herbicide exposure or service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD and asthma is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pleural plaques are related to his service exposure to asbestos, and thus grants service connection for this condition. However, the Board finds no causal relationship between the Veteran's COPD and his in-service asbestos exposure, and therefore denies service connection for COPD.

The Board has granted the reopening of the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD and has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim. The Board also found that there is at least equipoise evidence in favor of a finding that the Veteran's current COPD was incurred during his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is related to military service, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board finds that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides. Service connection is denied for diabetes mellitus, COPD, hypertension, coronary artery disease, and left eye disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's PTSD, alcohol use, and smoking.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate opinions and need for further examination. The claims are related to service connection for COPD and pulmonary fibrosis, with exposure to petroleum/chemicals in-service as a fueling tank inspector being considered.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current respiratory disabilities, including asthma and COPD, are not service-connected as they pre-existed service and were not aggravated by service. The COPD is more likely due to cigarette smoking than service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70% from August 21, 2015. The bilateral foot disability and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease claims are denied.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for a bilateral foot fungal condition has been withdrawn.

The Board denied the claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for Dressler's syndrome and respiratory disorder as a result of coronary artery bypass grafting performed in June 2007 at VAMC Indianapolis, finding no evidence of fault on VA's part.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection have been granted. He is now in receipt of a compensable evaluation for his varicose veins, an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for his right thigh scar, and secondary service connection for his heart disability.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a link between the Veteran's current condition and his in-service noise exposure.,Service connection was also established for COPD. The Veteran is currently receiving non-compensable disability ratings for both conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining additional medical opinions regarding his sleep apnea, COPD, heart disability, and earlier effective date for service connection for lung cancer.

The Board has determined that the Veteran should be afforded another VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected low back disability and whether he is unemployable due to this condition.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, resulting in a denial.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to service exposure. Service connection for PTSD, COPD, and a lumbar spine disability are granted. The claim for an equilibrium disorder was not supported by the evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an upper respiratory disorder, including asthma and COPD due to exposure to depleted uranium, is being remanded as the Veteran did not appear at his scheduled hearing.

The Board found that the Veteran's current COPD and ILD are not etiologically related to his military service, including as due to exposure to asbestos, Agent Orange, or lead.