COPD decisions — 2016

The Board found that the Veteran's current lung disability, including COPD with an asthmatic component, is not service-connected due to it being related to his extensive tobacco use. The back disability was also denied as there was insufficient evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for COPD, which is considered a direct result of his in-service exposure to asbestos and/or other chemicals.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed respiratory disabilities, including whether any preexisting conditions were aggravated by service. Additional medical records are also sought.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD due to new evidence submitted since the November 2009 rating decision. The issue of whether the Veteran's current COPD is related to his military service remains pending.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for tinea manus and pedis, as well as the evaluation in excess of 10 percent for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. As a result, these issues are dismissed.

The Board finds that the Veteran's respiratory disorder, including asthma and COPD, is not causally or etiologically related to his service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, claimed as asbestosis due to in-service asbestos exposure is being remanded for further development and an updated VA examination.

The Veteran's lung condition, including pulmonary coccidioidomycosis, COPD, asthma, and emphysema, is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records, verify service in Vietnam, and provide a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and private treatment records from Lake Sunapee VNA & Hospice and Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a respiratory/lung disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current chronic lung disability, including asthma and COPD, is related to his active service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, including COPD and asbestosis, is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his exposure to herbicides.

The Board has remanded the case for a new opinion on whether the Veteran's fatal COPD and atrial fibrillation are related to service, including presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The appellant is seeking service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's lung disability, including COPD and emphysema, was not incurred in or aggravated during service. The examiner concluded there is no data in the service treatment records to support a finding of chronicity.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for COPD, which he claims was caused by his exposure to Agent Orange during service. The appeal has been remanded due to the need for additional VA outpatient records and a determination of whether there are any relevant VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical examinations and records, as well as for further development of the claims.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including seeking an opinion regarding the etiology of his COPD and non-small cell lung cancer.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory/pulmonary disorder, including as secondary to his Persian Gulf War service and under 38 C.F.R. � 3.317 as an undiagnosed illness or chronic multi-symptom illness is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for his pulmonary disability, including emphysema and COPD. The decision is based on direct evidence rather than a presumption or other theory.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected discoid lupus erythematosus did not cause or contribute to his primary and contributory causes of death, including sepsis, anemia, pneumonia, renal failure, COPD, and AVM.