COPD decisions — 2016

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for an addendum VA examination regarding the Veteran's respiratory disabilities and their relation to service, including exposure to hazardous chemicals, herbicides, and asbestos.

The Board found that the Veteran's COPD was not manifested during service and is not causally or etiologically related to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for COPD is denied.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claim for a pulmonary disability, including asbestosis and COPD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding asbestos exposure during service.

The Veteran's COPD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds no basis for a higher rating based on his current PFT results or need for outpatient oxygen therapy.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and bilateral hearing loss disability have been reopened, but the new evidence does not establish a nexus to service. The claim for PTSD is inextricably intertwined with the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and back disability. TDIU is also deferred until these issues are resolved.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for COPD. The issue of hypertension is denied as there was no indication of a relationship between the Veteran's current condition and his presumed in-service herbicide exposure. Service connection for PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a VA examination and obtain additional medical records. The issues of entitlement to an increased rating for his right knee disability and service connection for COPD are also being addressed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current respiratory disorders, including cryptogenic organizing pneumonia, emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and tuberculosis, are not related to his active duty service. The evidence does not support a finding of asbestos exposure or any other form of exposure during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to service and thus denied all of his service connection claims.

The Veteran's death was caused by COPD, which the VA physician opined was related to his service-connected pulmonary tuberculosis. As a result, service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's heart disease disability and assigned a 100 percent rating effective May 7, 2013. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current respiratory conditions, including bronchitis and pneumonia, had their onset in or are related to his active service. Therefore, the criteria for service connection have been met.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete compliance with a previous remand, and additional development is required. The claims will be reconsidered after all necessary evidence is obtained.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current respiratory disability, including asthma and COPD, is not related to service. The appeal is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a service connection for hypertension, COPD, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to herbicide exposure or any other service-connected disability. The preponderance of evidence is against these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining SSA records and providing a supplemental opinion from an appropriate examiner regarding the Veteran's COPD and back disability claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is etiologically related to active service and granted service connection for this condition. The claim of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for IHD remains pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's current respiratory disorder, including residuals of pneumonia and COPD, did not have its onset in service or is otherwise related to active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a respiratory disorder other than pleural plaques and COPD due to asbestos exposure, and therefore service connection is denied.