COPD decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in writing prior to the Board's decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for malaria, COPD, and prostate disability. The claim for service connection for malaria was denied as there is no evidence of current residuals. For COPD, the VA examiner found it less likely than not related to service. Regarding the prostate disability, new evidence has been submitted but the Board still found insufficient evidence to establish a direct relationship with service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, pulmonary disorder including pneumonia and COPD, and gastrointestinal disorder including peptic ulcer disease. The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for tonsillectomy remains pending.

The Veteran's COPD claim is granted, but his increased rating for chronic respiratory distress remains denied.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's in-service noise exposure likely caused his current condition. The issues of asthma and COPD due to asbestos exposure are remanded for further development.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examiner to provide opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's COPD and emphysema, as well as their relationship to service.

The Veteran's respiratory disorders (COPD and asthma) are not related to his active service, as they are more likely due to his history of smoking.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to his active service.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU was dismissed because he did not file a timely Notice of Disagreement (NOD) within one year of the March 2016 rating decision.

The Veteran's COPD with asthmatic bronchitis has been evaluated based on FEV-1 and FEV-1/FVC results from Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs). For the period prior to October 19, 2015, his disability was rated at 30 percent. Beginning October 19, 2015, it has been rated at 60 percent.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is pending as additional development is required.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD (claimed as emphysema). However, the preponderance of the evidence is against finding a relationship between the Veteran's respiratory disorders and his in-service asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional records and further development of his claim.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and denied service connection for a respiratory disability. The Veteran's chronic lumbar strain was incurred in service, while his current respiratory condition is not shown to be related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development and evaluation, including obtaining additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, COPD, and depression.

The Board has granted service connection for lung cancer, a collapsed lung, and neuropathy of the left upper extremity and bilateral lower extremities as secondary to asbestos exposure. Service connection was denied for respiratory disorder (including COPD and emphysema) and neuropathy of the right lower extremity.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evidentiary development, including scheduling a videoconference hearing.

The Board has determined that a chronic lung disability, currently diagnosed as COPD, was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty service. The Veteran's claim for service connection is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lung disorder, including COPD and chronic pneumonia, was not incurred or aggravated during service. The VA examinations did not support a finding of continuity of symptoms after service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory/lung disorder, including as due to exposure to asbestos, is being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on Aid and Attendance and/or Housebound is being remanded due to the need for VCAA-compliant notice and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD and pulmonary fibrosis is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant VA treatment records and an examination by a pulmonologist.