COPD decisions — 2017

The Veteran's respiratory condition, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, is being remanded for further examination to determine if it is related to his presumed exposure to herbicides during service.

The Veteran's asthma and COPD were denied service connection, while his headaches prior to March 20, 2015 were granted a 50% rating.

The Board found no evidence of a currently diagnosed lung disorder, asbestosis, emphysema, or chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) that was first manifested during active duty or is shown to be etiologically related to any injury or event in service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a lung disorder secondary to asbestos exposure was denied.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection for right thoracic outlet syndrome, COPD secondary to a pulmonary embolism, and an increased rating for left thoracic outlet syndrome with history of subclavian vein thrombosis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a personal hearing before a Veterans Law Judge. The issues include reopening claims for various conditions, but the status of some claims and service connection theory are unknown.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and the cause of his death (respiratory failure due to pneumonia) is not linked to his military service. The Veteran did not require aid and attendance solely due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's lung disability, including emphysema and COPD, was not incurred during service and is not attributable to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a new VA examination. The issues include service connection for various conditions, with no specific theory of service connection provided.

The Veteran's service-connected status post left upper lobectomy for lung cancer is rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD and pulmonary fibrosis are not related to his service, as evidenced by VA and private medical opinions. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's asbestos-related lung abnormalities of nodules and diaphragm changes are more likely than not attributable to service. The Board has granted service connection for this condition, but the rating assigned and effective date need to be determined based on further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's COPD was not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected asbestosis. The Veteran is not in need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal seeking increases in the staged ratings for his pulmonary disability has been withdrawn due to his intent to withdraw the appeal. The Board no longer has jurisdiction to consider this matter.

The Veteran's COPD with bronchitis and bronchiectasis has not more nearly approximated the criteria for a higher disability rating, and thus his appeal is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim. The Board also found that there is insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran's COPD is related to his asbestos exposure during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by COPD, CAD, and dementia. The cause of service connection for these conditions is currently under review due to a lack of evidence linking them directly to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service noise exposure. The skin disability and COPD claims are remanded due to lack of a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's diabetes, COPD, and sleep disorder are being remanded for further development including obtaining medical opinions on the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has awarded service connection for asbestos-related lung abnormalities of bilateral pleural plaque calcification. The issue of whether the Veteran's diagnosed COPD and/or emphysema are at least as likely as not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected asbestos-related changes of bilateral pleural plaque formation is remanded.