COPD decisions — 2016

The Board finds that the Veteran's respiratory disability did not have its onset in service, is not related to asbestos or herbicide exposure, and is not otherwise related to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a respiratory disability has been denied.

The Veteran's COPD is not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking the condition to his military service.,Tinnitus has been rated at its maximum schedular rating (10%) and no higher rating is warranted.

The Veteran's claim for COPD due to asbestos exposure and as secondary to a service-connected disability is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding whether the COPD was caused or aggravated by his service-connected coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing at the RO. The service connection issue remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain additional evidence and provide a VA examination for COPD and SMC claims.

The Veteran's claim for COPD is denied as he did not have the disorder at any time since his June 2006 claim. Service connection is granted for recurrent sinusitis, which the Board finds to be a result of service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lung and cardiac disabilities are not related to his active duty service, including presumed Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of COPD or an acquired psychiatric disorder, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the nature and etiology of his lung cancer, COPD, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral tinnitus. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a lung disorder, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen his previously denied claim. The Board also determined that there was no causal relationship between any current lung disability and his military service.

The appeal is being remanded to further develop evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claims and cause of death claim. The AOJ must obtain military personnel records, including ship logs, and develop allegations of herbicide exposure in Vietnam and ionizing radiation exposure during Operation Castle.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including requesting full-text copies of articles submitted by the Veteran and a signed letter from Dr. Liutkus.

The Board found that the Veteran's lung disorder is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Type II Diabetes Mellitus, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Prostate Cancer, and Hypothyroidism. The evidence does not support a finding of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for further development, including an additional VA examination and review of updated treatment records. The focus is on determining if the Veteran's current respiratory disorders are related to his service exposure to asbestos.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain an addendum opinion addressing whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD caused or aggravated his CAD, which contributed to his death.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for cause of death and determined that a disability incurred in or aggravated by service contributed substantially to the Veteran's death. The appellant is not entitled to accrued benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities met the percentage requirements for a schedular TDIU, and the collective evidence on the question of whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have since prevented him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment is relatively evenly balanced.

The Board finds that the Veteran's currently diagnosed lung disorders are not etiologically related to his in-service asbestos exposure, but rather are more likely due to post-service occupational exposure. The claim is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting medical examinations to determine the relationship between his claimed conditions and service.