COPD decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the reduction in rating from 100% to 30% for left upper lobectomy status post lung cancer was proper. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating since June 1, 2008 is denied as his COPD does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records, including those from 2011 until the Veteran's death in April 2012. The appellant must provide any outstanding treatment records and authorize their release. Additionally, VA should obtain personnel records and service treatment records for July 1952 to May 1971.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine and COPD with a right upper lobe granuloma, finding that both conditions originated during active service.

The Veteran withdrew from appeal the claims for service connection for COPD and chronic bronchitis during a Board hearing.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, specifically COPD, was denied as the current diagnosed condition is not causally or etiologically related to active service. The Board found that the in-service asbestos exposure did not cause the currently diagnosed COPD.

The Veteran's asthma is found to have preexisted service and was not aggravated by military service. Service connection for asthma is therefore denied.,COPD did not manifest during or as a result of active military service, and the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection on any basis.

The Veteran's COPD is found to be related to in-service asbestos exposure, and his chronic bronchitis is found to have been aggravated by a service-connected condition. The Board grants service connection for both conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a respiratory disorder (including bronchitis and COPD), residuals of a right thigh/hip injury, residuals of a left thumb injury, malaria, a right foot or ankle disability, a left knee disability, and a right shoulder disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected anxiety reaction with conversion features contributed to his death from congestive heart failure, and thus grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to address the Veteran's in-service exposure to welding chemicals and its potential connection to his COPD.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including sleep apnea, PTSD, chronic pain disorder, and other neurological disorders. The decision is based on the lack of evidence supporting a direct link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a pulmonary disorder, including COPD and emphysema, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if his condition is related to herbicide exposure during service.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for macular degeneration and a rating greater than 60 percent for emphysema and COPD was withdrawn at the October 2015 hearing.

The Board has found that the preponderance of evidence is against finding a connection between the Veteran's current conditions and his in-service meningitis, flu vaccines, or lead exposure. The Veteran's service treatment records show he had acute aseptic meningitis in 1959, which resolved without residual effects. The VA examiners have found no lasting residuals from this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed respiratory disorder, back disability, hypertension, and gout are not related to service or any presumptive exposure basis.

The Board found that there is no evidence linking the Veteran's COPD, low back disorder, or arthritis of the right knee to his military service. The claims for these conditions were denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and granted a noncompensable evaluation for his residual scar, chest wall. The Veteran's COPD is found to be related to active service, while his scar is not considered painful or unstable.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current COPD is not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking it to his active service, and instead finds that it is more likely related to his history of tobacco use.

The Board has ordered additional examinations and opinions to determine the relationship between the Veteran's respiratory and cardiovascular disabilities, including COPD, asthma, and cardiovascular disease, and his service in Vietnam. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for his respiratory disorders, including sleep apnea, asthma, bronchitis and COPD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development. His TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is intertwined with his increased rating claim.