COPD decisions — 2017

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder as secondary to laryngeal cancer and TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding of nexus between the service-connected condition and the current respiratory disability.

The VA determined that the Veteran's COPD is not related to his service, specifically attributing it to his long history of cigarette smoking. The Board found no credible evidence supporting a link between the Veteran's in-service asbestos exposure and his current condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, sleep apnea, headaches, COPD, and seizures as secondary to his service-connected residuals of nose fracture.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is service-connected as secondary to his service-connected PTSD and depression. His asthma is found not to have been aggravated by his active duty service, but he has no current diagnosis of COPD or kidney disease. The Board grants Section 1151 benefits for urinary incontinence and leakage resulting from the TURP, but denies Section 1151 benefits for retrograde ejaculation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing. The issues of entitlement to higher ratings for asbestos lung disease and special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance are still pending.

The Veteran's COPD with asthma is currently rated at 60 percent, effective May 20, 2015. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a pulmonary disability, including COPD and emphysema, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his VA treatment records.

The Veteran's cause of death was attributed to acute cardio-pulmonary failure, dementia, COPD, Parkinson's disease, and anemia. The Board found that the service-connected PTSD did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Veteran's lung disability, diagnosed as COPD, was not incurred in or related to service. The Board found the evidence against a nexus between COPD and service.

The Board found that the Veteran's respiratory conditions are not related to his service, including exposure to hazardous chemicals. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that any current respiratory disorders are due to in-service events or exposures.

The Veteran's COPD is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination and the provision of his VA treatment records. The issue will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, DM, erectile dysfunction, and bilateral hand neuropathy. The VA examiner found that the Veteran did not have COPD or DM during his active duty service and that any current diagnoses are more likely due to post-service factors.

The Veteran's death was related to his service-connected conditions, but the appeal is being remanded for further consideration of his pending claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lung disability, finding that his COPD and emphysema are not related to service or service-connected lung cancer.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current respiratory disabilities, including COPD with emphysema and OSA with hypoxemia, are not related to his service or exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange). The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, which is secondary to frostbite and rated as 20 percent disabling in each extremity, contributed substantially or materially to the Veteran's death. As such, the claim for service connection for cause of death is granted.

The Board found no causal connection between the Veteran's death and any hospital care, medical or surgical treatment provided by VA. The evidence does not support a finding of fault on VA's part.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to address his claims for PTSD and COPD.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for asbestos-related pleural disease was denied, as the current level of disability does not warrant a higher rating under the applicable schedular criteria.