COPD decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current chronic respiratory disorder, to include COPD, that is related to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a chronic respiratory disorder, claimed as COPD, is denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his attorney, and the Board is dismissing the case.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is not attributable to his service, including exposure to asbestos. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for SMC based on the need for regular aid and assistance or housebound status due to lack of service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam and thus is not entitled to presumptive service connection for diabetes mellitus or COPD based on herbicide agent exposure. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied for lung disorder, liver disorder, tendonitis, bilateral hearing loss, and diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction. The Veteran's PTSD claim was granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions regarding his hypertension, coronary artery disease, Barrett's metaplasia, and lung condition.

The Veteran's pleural plaques are rated as noncompensable due to the presence of COPD, which is not service-connected. The Board found that the pleural plaques did not cause or worsen the COPD.

The Board found that the Veteran's COPD is not related to his service, specifically due to his extensive smoking history. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that his current condition is linked to exposure to chemicals and/or asbestos during service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's COPD is not caused or chronically worsened by his service-connected asbestosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was not incurred in or related to service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's lung cancer and COPD were not due to service or exposure to herbicides, and therefore denied for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory disorders, including COPD, emphysema, and sinusitis, are not related to service on a direct basis due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his in-service asbestos exposure. The VA examiner opined that the current diagnoses are less likely caused by or a result of asbestos exposure.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's current respiratory disability, including COPD and asthma, is etiologically related to his active duty service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a respiratory disability is granted.

The Veteran's COPD and bronchiectasis were rated at 100% from September 3, 2015. The Board found that the Veteran was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities since October 31, 2006.

The Veteran's pleural plaques have been manifested by FVC (Forced Vital Capacity) of greater than 80 percent of predicted value, and DLCO (SB) (Diffusion Capacity of the Lung for Carbon Monoxide by the Single Breath Method) of greater than 80 percent of predicted value. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under DC 6825.,The Veteran's COPD has been manifested without maximum exercise capacity equal to or less than 20 ml/kg/min of oxygen consumption, cor pulmonale, right ventricular hypertrophy, pulmonary hypertension, one or more episodes of acute respiratory failure, or the requirement for outpatient oxygen therapy.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a Travel Board hearing at the RO. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a lung disorder, including COPD, remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current respiratory disability and acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of their onset or worsening during her military service. The VA examiners have provided opinions against these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and providing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the etiology of the Veteran's respiratory disorders.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss, tinnitus, a chronic sinus disorder, or COPD during service. The Veteran's current conditions are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his military service. The remaining claims of service connection for respiratory and psychiatric conditions have been remanded.