COPD decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and a pulmonary disorder, to include as due to herbicide exposure, have been denied. The Board also found that the Veteran is not entitled to a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory disease, including emphysema and COPD, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions and records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is for an increased disability rating for his stomach condition. He also has service connection claims for other conditions and seeks secondary service connection for erectile dysfunction.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, including asthma and COPD, finding that his statements regarding active duty were not credible. The Board concluded that there is no evidence linking his current respiratory disabilities to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for COPD service connection was withdrawn. For PTSD, the Board denied a rating in excess of 50 percent prior to April 30, 2012 and a rating in excess of 30 percent thereafter.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional evidentiary development, including a VA SMP aid and attendance/housebound examination. The Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound will be assessed based on his current disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and development due to inadequate previous VA examinations, as well as the need to determine if any of his claimed conditions are related to service in Southwest Asia.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination and further development due to incomplete information and evidence. The Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and asbestosis are pending.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for service connection for PTSD, as there is no credible evidence of an in-service stressor. The remaining issues on appeal were remanded and are currently pending.

The Veteran's COPD and lung cancer did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation, as his FEV-1 was between 56 to 70 percent predicted or FEV-1/FVC between 56 to 70 percent, which corresponds to a 10% disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's respiratory/lung disorders and whether they are related to Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's COPD is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine if it is secondary to his service-connected inactive pulmonary tuberculosis. His rating for the tuberculosis is also being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his in-service asbestos exposure and his later-developed lung cancer. The Board also noted that the Veteran had a history of tobacco use, which contributed to his lung cancer.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for the residuals of pneumonia is being remanded due to insufficient detail in the May 2017 VA medical examination report regarding his right lung abnormalities documented in his service treatment records.

The Board found that the Appellant's current COPD, acute respiratory disease, asthma, and bronchitis are not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to her military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted with an initial disability rating of 10 percent. Service connection for lymphoma due to ionizing radiation exposure is granted. Bilateral hearing loss is service connected and rated at 0 percent. COPD is not service connected. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is not service connected.

The Veteran's COPD was not related to service, and the Board denied this claim.,Service connection for herniated discs of the lumbar spine was granted. The Veteran is now rated at 50% for chronic migraines.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for COPD prior to December 20, 2004 was denied. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was reopened due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial. However, the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and loss of taste were both denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal.