COPD decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development and readjudication due to a Joint Motion for Remand (JMR). The Veteran seeks service connection for COPD, claiming it is related to in-service asbestos exposure, soot, dust, and chemicals. The VA examiner found that the Veteran's current COPD was most likely caused by his 30-year history of smoking.

The Board found that the appellant's current COPD is not service-connected due to its being linked to his long history of smoking. The exposure to asbestos during active duty did not result in a diagnosed condition such as asbestosis, and therefore does not support service connection for this issue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have any residuals of his tuberculosis, and therefore, he is not entitled to an initial compensable rating for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of chloracne, and his diagnosed respiratory problems and bilateral eye disorders are not linked to military service.,Service connection for all three issues (chloracne, respiratory problems, and bilateral eye disability) is denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for respiratory problems, including COPD, sinusitis, and bronchitis, has been reopened. The left shoulder disability rating has been increased to 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his VA medical records and consideration of his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's death was caused by COPD, which is not service-connected. The Board found that the COPD was more likely due to his long history of smoking and did not stem from military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's respiratory disabilities, including COPD and recurrent pneumonia, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The medical evidence did not support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) related to service. The preponderance of evidence indicates these conditions are not linked to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that Agent Orange exposure, in and of itself, is not a disability subject to service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a pulmonary disability, to include as due to Agent Orange exposure. The June 2016 VHA opinion supports this reopening and indicates that the Veteran's current pulmonary disabilities are related to his period of active duty, including his exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The Board found that the Veteran's COPD was not caused by or aggravated by service, including asbestos exposure, and denied his claim.

The Veteran's chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma are not related to service, including exposure to asbestos. The heart disability is not related to service or service-connected PTSD.,Service connection for the heart disability was denied as it is less likely than not caused by service (including radiation exposure) or service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain the Veteran's death certificate and medical records, including from his primary care physician. The expert opinion requested will address whether the Veteran's cold injury residuals could have caused or contributed to his cause of death.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's COPD and lumbosacral spine disability are not related to active service, including as due to ionizing radiation or herbicide exposure. The Veteran was denied service connection for these conditions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's respiratory disorders, including sinusitis and bronchitis, are not related to his military service. COPD is unrelated to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient opinions regarding service connection for COPD and incomplete VA treatment records need to be obtained.

The Board denied service connection for COPD and bronchitis as there was no evidence of these conditions during or after service, and the Veteran's lay assertions were not credible.

The Veteran's thyroid disorder and respiratory disability are presumed to have been incurred during his service, while the issue of trembling is remanded for further examination.