COPD decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a pulmonary disability, to include COPD, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his exposure to herbicides and the onset of his right hilar granulomatous mass.

The Board has granted service connection for asbestos-related calcified pleural plaques, but the Veteran is seeking a higher initial rating. The VA will conduct further development and provide an updated VA examination to determine if the Veteran's condition warrants a higher disability rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current respiratory disorder, including COPD, is not caused by or otherwise etiologically related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides while stationed in Vietnam. The claim for secondary service connection based on PTSD was also denied as there is no evidence showing that the COPD was aggravated by the service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions, including a skin disability, PTSD, lung disorder (claimed as silicosis), and sleep apnea. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations.,VA will determine whether the Veteran's current diagnoses of skin disorders, PTSD, lung disorder, and sleep apnea are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied as the evidence did not establish a link between his current conditions and active service or secondary to service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU for the period from September 1, 2011 until July 7, 2016 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing documents and a need for a medical opinion regarding the etiology of hypertension, including whether it is related to service-connected COPD.

The Board has determined that the cause of death, cardiopulmonary arrest due to an acute myocardial infarction with coronary artery disease, was not caused by or related to service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to address his respiratory and hearing loss claims. The TDIU claim will be deferred until these issues are resolved.

The Veteran's death was caused by cardiopulmonary arrest due to underlying congestive heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The Appellant contends that the Veteran's service-connected left foot disability significantly hindered his mobility, which ultimately predisposed or hastened the development of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of pneumonia, including COPD, finding that the current condition is not related to service.

The Veteran died of cardiomyopathy, with COPD as a significant contributing condition. The cause of death is not service-connected and there is no evidence linking the service-connected PTSD to his death or any other conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated as 50 percent disabling, and her COPD is rated at 10 percent prior to October 21, 2016. From that date, the rating for COPD has been increased to 30 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA respiratory examination and development of his asbestos exposure claim.

The Veteran's service connection claim for COPD is being remanded due to the need to obtain his personnel records, which may have been destroyed in a fire at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC).

The Board has determined that SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance for the Veteran's spouse is not warranted due to her functional capacity, which does not require personal assistance from others.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete medical opinions and consideration of additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate examination reports and incomplete consideration of the appellant's lung disability.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection for COPD and thyroid cancer, which were previously pending.

The Board has denied service connection for a respiratory disorder, but granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine and residuals of a recurring cyst or tumor on the right middle finger. The claim for service connection for low back disability remains pending as it was not addressed in this decision.