COPD decisions — 2016

The Veteran's asthma with COPD is rated at 100 percent effective February 11, 2013. Sleep apnea is found to be secondary to his service-connected asthma and COPD. Erectile dysfunction is not found to be related to or aggravated by the service-connected hypertension.

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death, COPD, was not due to in-service asbestos exposure and denied service connection for cause of death.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of COPD and therefore denies his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy, COPD and hypertension are presumed to be related to his in-service exposure to Agent Orange. The claims for service connection are being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's asbestosis has been characterized by Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) above 75 percent predicted, thus not meeting the criteria for a higher initial rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's COPD is not service connected and denied both his claim for service connection and his TDIU claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lung disorders, including COPD and Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, are related to his in-service herbicide exposure (Agent Orange). The Board finds that service connection is warranted for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, lung cancer, COPD, and renal cancer are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely due to noise exposure during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The claim for service connection for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease was withdrawn by the Veteran prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease, COPD, and a skin condition due to herbicide exposure is granted.

The Board finds that the Veteran's COPD is at least as likely as not related to his active service, including his exposure to asbestos and other irritants during service. As a result, the claim for service connection for COPD is granted.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, finding that it was not incurred in service and is not related to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a respiratory disorder, including COPD and emphysema, which he claims is related to his military service. The Board has ordered additional development due to the inadequacy of the January 2010 VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including asthma, bronchitis, and COPD is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing proper notice regarding personal assault claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his VA treatment records, specifically those related to his service-connected anxiety disorder NOS and any heart condition or COPD.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and a VA medical opinion to address the Veteran's respiratory disorder, including mild granulomatous disease.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's chronic respiratory disabilities, including asthma, COPD, restrictive lung disease, and obstructive sleep apnea, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death (small bowel ischemia, hypotension, and sepsis) was not causally or etiologically related to his military service. The in-service back injury did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.