COPD decisions — 2016

The Board found that the Veteran's COPD was not incurred in service and therefore concluded that service connection for COPD is not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for asbestosis has been denied. The issues of service connection for type II diabetes, heart condition (also claimed as congestive heart failure), osteoarthritis, hyperlipidemia, and TDIU have not been addressed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA pulmonary examination to determine the nature and etiology of his COPD and asbestosis, as well as to evaluate his ability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 12, 1991 for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities was denied as the evidence did not show he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation by reason of his service-connected disabilities prior to that date.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his right lobe bronchiectasis with COPD and service connection for emphysema were denied. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation prior to January 14, 2005, or from November 20, 2007 through February 19, 2015, but his right lobe bronchiectasis with COPD was rated at 60 percent effective February 20, 2015. The Veteran's claim for service connection for emphysema secondary to the service-connected right lobe bronchiectasis with COPD was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory condition, to include chronic bronchitis, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's claims for COPD, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and bilateral hand neuropathy are being remanded due to the need for additional development including medical examinations.

The Veteran's cause of death was not due to or the result of service-connected disabilities, and there is no evidence linking his colitis disability to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence was at least evenly balanced as to whether COPD is related to his active duty service, but did not find new and material evidence in support of reopening a claim for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's COPD symptoms prior to January 9, 2015 did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes. The Board found that his PFT scores were consistent with a 30% disability rating.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is etiologically related to active duty service and the claim for service connection has been granted.

The Board finds that the Veteran's COPD and PTSD are not service connected as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, calcified pleural plaques, and asbestosis are all found to be attributable to service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for COPD has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities played a material causal role in his heart disease resulting in his cause of death. As such, the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a respiratory disability, including asthma, emphysema and COPD. The Board finds that additional development is needed to address the etiology of his respiratory disorder.

The Veteran's vision disorder is not service-connected due to a refractive error. The Board finds that the Veteran did not incur an additional disability for COPD during active duty service, nor is it related to his service-connected asbestosis pleural plaques.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of COPD is not related to his service, but rather due to tobacco use and not linked to Agent Orange exposure or any other in-service event. The claim for service connection for a respiratory disability was granted.

The evidence does not support a current diagnosis of asbestosis or other asbestos-related pulmonary disorder, and the Board finds that service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.