COPD decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to her death before a decision was made by the Board.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records related to his COPD hospitalizations. The Board will review the case and determine if a new effective date can be assigned based on these records.

The Board has remanded the appeal for further development due to failure to substantially comply with previous instructions.

The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's diagnosed Systemic Sclerosis and Interstitial Lung Disease are related to his active service, including asbestos exposure. The claim for secondary COPD is also granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and consideration, including obtaining a supplemental opinion from the VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's COPD is aggravated by his service-connected malaria. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such nature and severity as to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since March 8, 2014. The Board finds that the evidence is approximately evenly balanced as to whether his service-connected conditions render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the cause of the Veteran's death and the need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death, COPD, was not related to service and denied the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that COPD and CAD were not caused or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current lung conditions are related to his service, including exposure to asbestos, lead or chromium paint chips and burning nylon.

The VA denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his respiratory disability, finding that his FEV-1 and DLCO did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran claims service connection for respiratory disorders, including asthma and COPD. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his respiratory conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for COPD has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and remanded it for further development. The Appellant contends that the Veteran was exposed to asbestos, weed-killing chemicals, CN gas, and CS gas during his service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has remanded the case for several reasons, including obtaining missing service treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The Veteran's claims for earlier effective date for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance, as well as his service connection claims for cystic bronchiectasis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), are now pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected multiple myeloma did not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or permanently housebound due to his nonservice-connected conditions, such as dementia and COPD. Therefore, SMC based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status is denied.

The Veteran's current gout disability had its onset in service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The issue of COPD is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's COPD is related to his active service, specifically the in-service experience with recoilless weapons that emitted toxic fumes without breathing protection.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with restrictive lung disease and obstructive sleep apnea, both of which are found to be related to his service-connected ankylosing spondylitis. However, the Veteran's COPD is not currently diagnosed.