COPD decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA examination and treatment records. The claim for a higher initial rating for bilateral hearing loss is also being remanded.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for COPD, to include as secondary to service-connected deviated septum. A VA examination is needed to determine if COPD is related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's COPD was not related to his service or exposure to asbestos, and denied the claim for service connection. The claim for Parkinson's disease is remanded as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding its relationship to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of degenerative arthritis in either ankle or lumbar spine, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to service. The COPD claim was denied as well.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including pulmonary function tests and an opinion on whether lung scarring constitutes a separate ratable disability.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased evaluation have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current respiratory conditions, including asthma and COPD, are not related to his active service. The VA examiner concluded that these conditions are secondary to tobacco use.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including BOOP and COPD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development, specifically obtaining an adequate VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities. The combined rating was found insufficient to meet the criteria for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have asbestosis and his emphysema is not related to service. The claim for service connection for emphysema and COPD is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability, diagnosed as lumbar osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease, was incurred in active service. However, it denied service connection for COPD (claimed as residuals of bronchopneumonia, left lower lobe) due to lack of competent medical evidence linking the current condition to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by or substantially contributed to by a disability incurred in or aggravated by active service, specifically his reported in-service frostbite while on active duty in Korea. The Appellant's claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is therefore granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, including COPD and as due to asbestos exposure during active duty, is being remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his in-service fatigue and/or his service-connected COPD, and whether this condition was permanently worsened by his service-connected COPD.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a hearing, and is awaiting clarification on whether he wants a videoconference or in-person hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed low back condition and asbestos exposure-related respiratory/lung conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD was denied, and his claim for an increased rating for lumbar degenerative disc disease was granted with a 40% disability rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is at least as likely as not related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for COPD.

The Veteran's service-connected COPD renders him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that his TDIU claim is granted.