COPD decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability and lung disability (to include COPD) are not etiologically related to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD and low back disability are not related to her military service, including any claimed exposure to harmful chemicals. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death was not substantially caused by his service-connected diabetes, and therefore denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted an effective date earlier than November 15, 2006 for the award of a 30 percent rating for residuals of pulmonary tuberculosis. The claim for a higher rating prior to January 28, 2013 remains denied.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current respiratory condition (asthma) or skin conditions (herpes zoster, lipoma, moles and tags) related to service. The Veteran's cervical spine disability was not shown at the time of his separation examination and thus cannot be presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for osteochondroma of the right knee and back disorder, finding that new and material evidence was submitted. The claims are granted as both conditions are found to be related to active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lung disability, including COPD and TB, was not incurred during his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the etiology of his claimed right and left foot disorders, back disorder, and COPD.

The Veteran's asbestosis and COPD are presumed to be related to service exposure. His low back disability, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction are found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD was not incurred in or caused by his service, and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and needs further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed respiratory conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, claimed as asbestosis due to in-service asbestos exposure is being remanded for additional development and examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is not related to his service, and denied his claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current sleep apnea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypertension, and rib disorder are not related to service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's respiratory disorder, including asthma, bronchitis, COPD, and IPF, was manifested many years after his separation from service and the preponderance of the competent evidence shows it is not related to, caused by, or aggravated by his service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, including COPD and asthma, is being remanded due to incomplete medical opinions. The case will be reviewed again after obtaining additional information from the VA examiner.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions including multiple body traumas, hypertensive cardiovascular disease, hyperlipidemia, COPD, obstructive sleep apnea, emphysema, chronic pansinusitis, low back disorder, cardio-pulmonary disorder, benign prostatic hypertrophy, and osteoarthritis of the knees, right forearm, and right hand. The appeal was decided on the merits without any presumption or secondary service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, vision disability, a respiratory disability (COPD), a nerve disability (PVD or right L3 radiculopathy), and a skin disability. The appeals were decided on the basis that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral foot, knee, hip, and COPD disabilities are not service-connected as they did not manifest during active service or within one year of discharge. The preexisting pes planus was not aggravated by service, and there is no evidence of a nexus between any current disability and service.