COPD decisions — 2017

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, leaving only the issues of entitlement to service connection for COPD and a skin disorder unresolved.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, claimed as asthma and COPD, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of her condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his COPD. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's service-connected asthma and COPD have been rated at 100 percent since June 22, 2005. The claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) has been granted due to the severity of these disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including COPD, right shoulder and hand disabilities, and hypertension, have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his inability to dress, feed himself, prepare meals, or bathe without assistance.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a pulmonary disorder related to his service, and therefore denies service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's COPD is not service-connected due to the lack of a link between his smoking history and the development of the condition, and there is no evidence of asbestos exposure. However, his COPD may be related to radiation exposure during military service.

The Veteran's widow is seeking service connection for respiratory disabilities, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and bronchitis, as well as Dependency and Indemnity Compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318. The case has been remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for temporary total rating, service connection for COPD, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The claim for initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for coronary artery disease and PTSD with depression was not addressed as it involves issues referred to another RO.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory disability, including asthma, COPD, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis, is related to his service due to an injury from chlorine gas inhalation during active duty. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD, esophageal cancer, and prostate cancer as related to in-service asbestos exposure. Bilateral hearing loss is also granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a pulmonary disorder and residuals of hepatitis have been denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and an addendum opinion regarding his back disability and respiratory condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's current respiratory disorders, including COPD, are not related to his service or any in-service exposure. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that his current condition is linked to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to obtain an addendum etiology opinion regarding the Veteran's respiratory disabilities, specifically bronchial asthma and COPD.

The Board has remanded the case to allow the Veteran to have a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO in Muskogee, Oklahoma. The claims for service connection will be further evaluated.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's COPD is related to his in-service histoplasmosis, and grants service connection for COPD.

The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnoses of bronchitis and COPD are not related to his service, as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his in-service diagnosis of acute bronchitis. The VA examiners concluded that the post-separation respiratory issues were likely due to long-term tobacco use.

The Board dismissed the appeal as the Appellant did not file an appeal to the Court and her representative filed a hearing presentation stating that the September 2016 decision has addressed the issue on appeal.

The Board finds that the Veteran's respiratory disorder to include lung infection and COPD is not related to his service-connected coronary artery disease, status post coronary artery graft. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.