COPD decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD did not have its clinical onset during service or for many years thereafter and is not otherwise related to active duty, including exposure to herbicides. Therefore, service connection for COPD for purposes of accrued benefits is denied.

The Veteran's claim for increased disability rating and eligibility for Dependents' Education Assistance benefits was granted. The appeal is denied as there was no valid notice of disagreement filed in connection with the August 2011 rating decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including asthma and COPD, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and consideration of relevant evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of her claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary due to the inadequacy of the Veteran's Compensation and Pension (C&P) examination, which did not address the Veteran's contentions regarding his COPD and lung disease.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD is being remanded due to the need for further medical opinion regarding whether his COPD was aggravated by his service-connected lung disability.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's COPD is not etiologically related to his active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's skin disorder and pulmonary disorder (COPD and emphysema) are found to be related to his military service. The Veteran's hearing loss is also granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic low back condition and pulmonary disorder, including bronchitis and COPD, are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and an addendum opinion.

The Veteran claims service connection for COPD, but the VA cannot locate his service treatment records from Adak, Alaska. The case is being remanded to obtain these records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address his claims of service connection for COPD, bilateral ankle disabilities, and vertigo. This includes obtaining missing service treatment records, reviewing deck logs from the USS Guam, scheduling VA examinations, and ensuring all relevant evidence is considered.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection for COPD and foot fungus, effective before the Board could issue a decision.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's pancreatic cyst, liver cyst, renal cyst, left knee disorder, and initial higher disability rating for COPD. The COPD issue was granted with a 30 percent disability rating effective March 13, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an independent medical opinion regarding whether asbestos exposure could have caused the Veteran's emphysema, which may be related to his death.

The Veteran's claims for a respiratory disorder and short term memory loss have been denied as there is no medical evidence establishing a link between these conditions and his military service, including herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's asbestos lung disease has not resulted in the required criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes. His disability remains at 30 percent.

The Veteran's fibrosis due to asbestos exposure is rated at 30 percent, effective from December 22, 2011. The Veteran's COPD is not service-connected and does not affect his rating for fibrosis.

The Veteran's service connection claim for pulmonary asbestosis is granted. The claim for a respiratory disorder other than pulmonary asbestosis is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current COPD and emphysema did not manifest during active service, and are not otherwise related to service or a service-connected disability. The weight of the evidence showed that his acquired psychiatric disorders manifested years after his active service and were not related to service.