COPD decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current pulmonary disability, including COPD and asthma, is not related to his active duty service. The claim for service connection for a pulmonary disability is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's OSA and COPD are not related to his military service, including any exposure to asbestos. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's breathing disorder, including COPD, pulmonary hypertension, and sleep apnea, was not shown to be related to service or exposure to herbicides. The Board found that the most likely cause of his respiratory conditions is tobacco use.

The Veteran's service-connected asbestosis has been attributed to his respiratory-related symptoms, including COPD and bronchitis. The Board is granting a 100% rating for asbestosis based on the severity of his respiratory condition.

The Veteran's asthma with COPD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate VA examinations and missing records. The Veteran is presumed exposed to herbicide agents during service, including in Vietnam.

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death, CHF and COPD, were not service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, ankle disorders, knee disorders, hip disorders, and psychiatric and gastrointestinal issues, were denied as there is no competent evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been caused by herbicide exposure. His skin disorder, glaucoma, lung disorder (COPD and interstitial lung disease), and sinusitis are not among the listed diseases eligible for presumptive service connection due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain the Veteran's private treatment records and to provide an examination for respiratory disability, including COPD. The claim will be readjudicated following these actions.

The Veteran's asthma and emphysema/COPD were not found to be service-connected due to lack of in-service diagnosis or exposure, and the current conditions are not considered chronic.

The Veteran's diabetes, heart failure, hypertension, and COPD are being remanded for further examination to determine their etiology. The appeal is based on presumed exposure to herbicides in the Pinal Mountains near Globe, Arizona.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD and heart disorder are not service-connected, as they are either not causally related to his military service or were aggravated by his service-connected asbestosis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory disorder, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, was not incurred or aggravated during service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea, hypertension, COPD, and headache disorder are not service-connected as they did not develop during his military service or are otherwise related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lung disorder, diagnosed as COPD, is not related to his in-service asbestos exposure and therefore denied service connection for a lung disorder.

The Veteran's OSA is found to be secondary to his service-connected COPD. The initial rating for bipolar disorder has been granted at 30 percent, and the residuals of right pleuritis and right basal pneumonia with COPD have also received a 30 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder and lung disorder (COPD) are not service-connected. The low back disorder is denied due to lack of in-service injury or disease, while the lung disorder is denied as not related to asbestos exposure during service.

The Board found that the Veteran's respiratory disability did not have its onset during active duty service and is not otherwise related to such service.