COPD decisions — 2016

The Veteran's respiratory conditions, including COPD, TB, pneumonia, and atypical mycobacterial infection, are not service-connected as they do not have a direct link to his military service or any exposure to herbicides or asbestos.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected benign asbestos-related pleural disease. The issue of entitlement to an increased rating for benign asbestos-related pleural disease is being remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for lung disability, including COPD and pulmonary fibrosis, to include as due to asbestos exposure, based on the lack of medical evidence linking any current lung disorder to service.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's emphysema, COPD, and asthma were incurred during his active service. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD and non-small cell lung cancer are not related to his service, including exposure to asbestos. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have service in Vietnam and thus could not establish herbicide exposure. The cause of death was attributed to aspiration pneumonia, with underlying causes including hypertension-related cardiovascular disease. Service connection for these conditions is denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure or a link to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, claimed as parenchymal fibrosis, is being remanded due to the need for a personal hearing. The appeal does not involve any issues related to exposure to radiation or asbestos.

The Veteran's cause of death, COPD, is not service-connected as it was not caused or aggravated by any condition incurred in or aggravated during his military service. The Board found that the Veteran did not have exposure to Agent Orange and that there was no evidence linking his COPD to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder and respiratory disorders did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The claims for service connection are therefore denied.

The Veteran's current bronchitis and COPD are found to have been incurred during service, granting the claim for service connection.

The case is being remanded for additional VA examinations to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, erectile dysfunction secondary to PTSD, and COPD.

The Veteran's COPD was initially rated at 10% prior to October 25, 2007 and increased to 30% thereafter. The claim is granted for the period prior to October 25, 2007 but denied on and after that date.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, COPD, and fibromyalgia due to inadequate development. The Veteran must be afforded VA examinations to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current pulmonary disorders, including COPD and restrictive respiratory disease, are not related to service or secondary to his service-connected chronic maxillary sinusitis. However, the VA examiner found no evidence of a significant obstructive component of the Veteran's pulmonary disease and did not diagnose COPD.

The Veteran's claim for a higher level of SMC based on the need for aid and attendance was granted, effective from August 12, 2014. The effective date is not earlier than November 30, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD and emphysema are related to his military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance is granted effective October 28, 2009. The evidence shows that the Veteran required regular aid and attendance due to multiple disabling conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's COPD, including emphysema, is made permanently worse by his service-connected heart disease with pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary vascular disease. The Board granted service connection for COPD based on aggravation.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current respiratory disorders, including COPD and consolidations in the left upper and lower lung, are not causally related to his service or asbestos exposure. The preponderance of evidence is against this claim.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's respiratory disease including COPD and determined that his death was caused by this condition. The cause of death is therefore also granted.