COPD decisions — 2017

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the Board finds that his back condition did not contribute substantially or materially to his cause of death. The VA medical opinion provided a negative nexus between the service-connected back disability and the cause of death.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a respiratory disability, including obstructive and restrictive airway disease, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule VA examinations for his hearing loss, tinnitus, respiratory disorder, and skin disorder claims.

The Veteran's respiratory disorder, skin cancer, and PMLE were not incurred or aggravated by service. The Board found no evidence of a relationship between the conditions and service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for COPD, resulting in a denial.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed COPD and heart condition. The issues on appeal are whether service connection should be granted for COPD and a heart condition, to include CHF.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is etiologically related to his active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition as secondary to his service-connected COPD and emphysema.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have service in Vietnam and was not exposed to tactical herbicide agents, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is not related to his active duty service and denied the claim for service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran's lung disorder is not related to service, specifically his asbestos exposure during military service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD and pleural plaques are related to in-service asbestos exposure, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran is already receiving the maximum schedular rating of 100 percent for COPD with bronchiectasis, so no higher initial rating can be granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's breathing disorder was not manifested during active service or within the first year after separation from service and it is not attributed to service.

The Veteran's current lung disability, diagnosed as COPD with emphysema, is found to be related to his service and granted service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records prior to June 20, 2009 and requesting a supplemental opinion from the June 2014 examiner regarding the Veteran's claimed respiratory disorder and sleep apnea.

The Board found that the Veteran's lung disability, diagnosed as COPD and bronchitis, is not related to his service or exposure to herbicides. The claim for secondary service connection for headaches and syncope to bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed cervical spine, back, hip, and knee disabilities are not service-connected. The bilateral hearing loss is granted as secondary to service due to acoustic trauma. The respiratory disorder (COPD) is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a supplemental opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's COPD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete medical records and insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's COPD and emphysema are related to in-service asbestos exposure, and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions. The issue of an initial disability rating for bilateral pleural plaques is deferred until a rating decision on COPD and emphysema is issued.