COPD decisions — 2017

The Veteran's respiratory disabilities (asthma, COPD, and granulomatous lung disease) were not incurred during service. The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Veteran's COPD is not service-connected, as it is neither causally nor etiologically related to her active service or secondary to her service-connected sinusitis.,The Veteran's right knee instability has been rated at 10 percent since August 2010. The examiner noted that the Veteran had a history of smoking and was currently in need of aid and attendance, which is not considered for rating purposes under Diagnostic Code 5261.

The Veteran's claims for sinusitis, angiomyolipoma, left kidney renal calculus, radial sensory neuritis, and right antecubital fossa have been denied as not related to service. The claims for COPD, seborrheic keratosis, and asthma are also denied due to lack of diagnosis during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of asbestos exposure and clarification on the relationship between current respiratory conditions and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of respiratory/bronchus cancer and therefore is not entitled to service connection for this condition. The claim for COPD, claimed as asbestosis and shortness of breath, including as due to asbestos exposure, remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for COPD and emphysema has been withdrawn. The Board is dismissing the appeals as to these issues.

The Board finds that none of the service-connected conditions caused or contributed substantially or materially to the Veteran's death. The causes of death listed on his death certificate were not related to any service-connected disabilities, and there is no evidence showing a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of COPD is not etiologically related to an upper respiratory infection incurred in service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability.,Service-connected disabilities did not cause the Veteran to be in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound before his death.

The Veteran has withdrawn all issues on appeal, including his claims for service connection for a back disability, COPD, and hypertension. The Board does not have jurisdiction to review these matters as the appeal is dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lung disorder, other than asthma, finding no current diagnosis of COPD or asbestosis and noting that her only respiratory diagnosis was asthma. The Board also found no evidence to support presumptive service connection under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317.

The Board found that the Veteran's respiratory disorder, diagnosed as COPD and emphysema, is not related to service or a service-connected condition. The evidence does not support an onset during service and there is no credible link between the current condition and service.

The Veteran's lung disorder is not service-connected, and his kidney disorder is also not service-connected. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable prior to July 20, 2016, and at least 10 percent thereafter.,Service connection for a lung disorder was denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service or any exposure to asbestos or trichloroethylene. Service connection for a kidney disorder was also denied as there is no evidence of in-service problems that could be linked to current conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with emphysema was granted a rating of 60 percent effective November 10, 2014. The Veteran also received TDIU benefits based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has found that the Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis is etiologically related to his active duty service. The claims for COPD and asbestosis are remanded due to lack of a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is etiologically related to his in-service exposure to environmental toxins, including diesel fumes, paint fumes, cleaning solvents, and asbestos. As such, service connection for COPD is granted.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for residuals of a right ankle sprain and residuals of a coccyx contusion, granted service connection for a skin disorder (psoriasis and dermatitis), and remanded the issues of service connection for a sleep disorder, a disorder manifested by blackouts, a disorder manifested by dizziness, an eye disorder, residuals of a right ankle sprain, residuals of a right great toe injury, and residuals of a coccyx contusion for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD with smoking induced emphysema and hypertension are not related to his service, including exposure to environmental hazards in Iraq. The claim for COPD is denied, while the claim for hypertension remains pending as it requires further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including skin disorders, hypertension, COPD, arthritis of the right ankle, and gout. The VA examiner opined that these conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute substantially to his death. The Appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is denied.