COPD decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a respiratory disorder, to include asthma, bronchitis, and COPD, that is due to service. The preponderance of evidence is against finding any such connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lung disorders, diagnosed as restrictive lung disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current COPD is related to insecticide exposure in service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a respiratory disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's lung disabilities are being remanded for a VA examination to determine if his service-connected PTSD caused him to continue using tobacco products, and whether this use of tobacco was a substantial factor in causing his current lung disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The new and material evidence received has reopened the claims for basal cell carcinoma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, both of which are now considered granted.,Service connection is established for basal cell carcinoma as secondary to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination to determine if COPD is related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the etiology of his respiratory disorders and to obtain a VA examination regarding his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board finds that the Veteran's OSA and COPD did not begin during service, were not caused by his military service, or have been caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability. As such, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Board found no evidence of hepatitis during service and denied the claim.,Service connection for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease was also denied, with the Board finding that it is less likely as not related to service.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's COPD is related to exposure to diesel engine fumes during active duty service, and thus grants service connection for COPD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, tinnitus, and inactive pulmonary tuberculosis are granted with a total disability rating due to the severity of his PTSD.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a respiratory disability and granted service connection for residuals of a ruptured diaphragm. The issue of whether COPD is aggravated by the now service-connected diaphragm disability remains unresolved.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for a VA examination and medical opinion addressing the etiology of the claimed respiratory disabilities, including COPD and emphysema. The Veteran's exposure to asbestos during service is conceded.

The Board found that there is no evidence of a back injury during service and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a low back injury.,There is also insufficient evidence to establish service connection for pulmonary fibrosis, as the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that it was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for COPD, which he argues is due to in-service exposure to herbicides or caused by his service-connected PTSD and ischemic heart disease. The VA examiner found that the COPD is more likely related to smoking history and post-service exposures rather than service. Further development is needed as the opinion provided on remand should consider arguments posed by the Veteran's representative regarding stress and anxiety symptoms of PTSD.

The Veteran's respiratory disability, diagnosed primarily as COPD and emphysema, was first manifested more than two years after separation from active duty, and the preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that it is in any way related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory condition, including as due to exposure to chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive agents (CBRNE), is being remanded for further development.

The VA determined that the Veteran's lung disorder, diagnosed as COPD, is not attributable to any incident of service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for obstructive lung disease, including COPD and bronchial asthma. The Board has determined that remand is necessary to obtain a medical opinion regarding whether the pre-existing asthma was aggravated by service.