COPD decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to inconsistencies in the VA examination report and incorrect service dates provided. A new VA examination is needed to determine if his respiratory conditions are related to active service, including exposure to asbestos.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and COPD, finding that the evidence does not support a link to his military service or any other condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, COPD, obstructive sleep apnea, and frostbite residuals require additional development due to outstanding VA and private treatment records. The Veteran is also required to undergo VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of stroke, atrial fibrillation, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as these conditions are not related to his active military service or presumed herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed asbestosis and COPD are related to service exposure to asbestos, and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic heart and lung conditions, including ischemic heart disease, were incurred in service. These conditions substantially contributed to his death.

The Veteran's melanoma status post surgeries was not present during service or for many years thereafter, and is not etiologically related to active duty service. The presumption of service connection as a chronic disease is not applicable.,There is no current diagnosis or other competent finding of COPD. The Veteran does not have COPD.,The Veteran's hearing loss is not caused by an event, disease or injury in active duty service and the presumption of service connection as a chronic disease is not applicable.,The Veteran's tinnitus is not caused by an event, disease or injury in active duty service and the presumption of service connection as a chronic disease is not applicable.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression and memory loss) is not etiologically related to active duty service and the presumption of service connection as a chronic disease is not applicable.

The Veteran's lobectomy due to granuloma of the right lower lung with chronic bronchitis and COPD has been rated at 100 percent since November 6, 1996 for pulmonary hypertension.

The Veteran's respiratory disorders are presumed to be due to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents. However, the Board has ordered a remand for further examination and opinion regarding the relationship between his current respiratory conditions and his service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and therefore denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory conditions, including asthma, COPD, and obstructive sleep apnea, are not service-connected as they were not shown during active duty or due to exposure to smoke, gas, lead paint, paint thinner, and asbestos.

The Veteran's lung scarring and COPD were not incurred or aggravated in service, and may not be presumed to be service connected. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claim for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion as to whether any of the Veteran's conditions that caused his death are related to service. The appeal is currently in remand status.

The Board has determined that the current development of the case is inadequate and remands it for further action, including additional diagnostic testing and an opinion from a respiratory specialist.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected conditions, and therefore, denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has found no evidence linking the Veteran's current bronchitis and COPD to his military service, including herbicide exposure. The preponderance of the evidence is against the claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, hypertension, and a bilateral eye disability. The Veteran's COPD was not found to be related to service exposure or asbestos/gas exposure. His hypertension was determined not to have been incurred in service and is not considered secondary to any service-connected condition.,Service connection for the Veteran’s bilateral eye disability was also denied as there was no evidence linking it to his service.

The Board has denied service connection for asthma, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing condition did not increase in severity during service and was not aggravated by service. The COPD claim is pending as it relates to a secondary service connection issue.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma was reopened and granted. He is now entitled to a 30% rating for his respiratory disorder, effective July 29, 2011.