COPD decisions — 2018

The Veteran's OSA and COPD were not shown to be related to military service or herbicide exposure. The Board found that the evidence did not support a link between his PTSD, diabetes, and other service-connected disabilities causing his OSA.

The Board has decided that additional development is necessary before a decision can be made on the Veteran's claim for service connection for lung disorders, including asthma and COPD, due to in-service exposure to asbestos. The case will be remanded for further examination and evidence collection.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected COPD was the principal or contributory cause of his death.

The Veteran's lung cancer residuals are being remanded for further evaluation, including a VA examination to assess the current effects of his disability. His TDIU claim is also being remanded due to its inextricably intertwined nature with the evaluation issue.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for obtaining missing SSA medical records and VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating for bronchial asthma disability was denied, and the Board found that his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The COPD issue is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its service connection.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not shown to be first manifested during active duty and is not related to any injury or event in service.

The Veteran's claimed conditions were not found to be related to service or due to exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange). Service connection was denied for all conditions.

The Board denied service connection for COPD and chronic bronchitis, finding no evidence of asbestos exposure or herbicide agent exposure. The Veteran's current respiratory conditions are attributed to smoking.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory/lung disorder, finding that his lung and respiratory disorders were more likely due to smoking rather than herbicide exposure.

The Board denied service connection for COPD and hypertension, finding no evidence of onset or etiology in service.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for cause of death due to COPD and respiratory failure, finding no evidence linking these conditions to active duty service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and leg disabilities, as well as COPD secondary to asthma, are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. The Veteran is also having his increased rating claim for asthma remanded.,The Board has determined that further development is needed before these issues can be decided.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD). The claim of service connection for a lung disorder other than COPD is remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the relationship between the Veteran's COPD and his active duty service, specifically exposure to burning feces and combat-related fires. The Board also needs to assess whether the COPD is related to or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for COPD, a rating in excess of 10 percent for a skin disability, DIC based on service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death, and SMC based on the need for aid and attendance and/or housebound status due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the Veteran's current respiratory condition and his military service or asbestos exposure. The Board also remanded cases regarding left and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to lack of recent VA examination records.

The Board has granted service connection for a respiratory/pulmonary disorder, including COPD and asthma, due to exposure to chemicals during active duty.

The Board denied requests for earlier effective dates for service connection decisions related to COPD, CHF, and MDD. The claims were granted based on the date of receipt of the applications.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for pleural plaques, but denied his claim for service connection for a lung disease other than pleural plaques including COPD.