COPD decisions — 2018

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding the issues of entitlement to a compensable evaluation for a service-connected scar, status post right knee cystectomy and entitlement to a compensable evaluation for service-connected right spermatocele and left variscocele asymptomatic. The claim for service connection for COPD is reopened but denied as there is no evidence that it is related to the Veteran's period of active service.

The Veteran has withdrawn all his appeals, including those for service connection and nonservice-connected pension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory/lung pathology, including asthma and COPD, is not etiologically related to her active military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was not caused by any incident of active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's skin and lung disorders (melanoma of the face and back, COPD) were not incurred in service and are not otherwise related to service, including in-service herbicide exposure. Service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not cause the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, thus denying entitlement to SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is etiologically related to his active service, and thus grants service connection for COPD.

The case is being remanded to obtain a clarifying opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's COPD and whether it was related to service, including asbestos exposure. The issues of service connection for the cause of death and COPD are also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is not service connected, as it does not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to herbicide exposure (Agent Orange) and there is no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis and a respiratory disorder, to include bronchitis and COPD are denied as there is no competent evidence linking any current disability to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a new VA examination and opinion regarding his COPD, specifically addressing whether it is at least as likely as not that his COPD was caused or aggravated by his service-connected deviated septum.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his service personnel records to determine if he was exposed to asbestos in service and scheduling a VA examination to assess the nature, extent, and etiology of any respiratory disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is not etiologically related to his service-connected asbestosis and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and whether COPD had its clinical onset during active service or is related to any incident of service disease.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disorder and a pulmonary disorder, finding that there is no evidence of such disorders in service or within one year post-service.,The Veteran's current diagnoses are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is related to his active service, specifically exposure to substances from firing tanks during his service in Korea. As such, the claim for service connection for COPD is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA or private treatment records and providing medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's COPD, skin cancer, and myasthenia gravis.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for COPD was withdrawn. The skin disorder claim is remanded to obtain deck logs and missing STRs, and to provide a VA examination.

The Veteran is granted a 60 percent evaluation for COPD prior to May 9, 2013.,An earlier effective date of September 19, 2002, for service-connected COPD is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and for a medical opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's death, specifically addressing Agent Orange exposure and PTSD.