COPD decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus, finding that new and material evidence was presented to reopen the claim. The Veteran's testimony regarding in-service noise exposure is considered credible.,Regarding COPD, the Board finds that a VA examination is needed to determine if it is at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's time in service or his exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination to assess his respiratory conditions, and determining the etiology of any diabetes mellitus. The claims will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was reopened and granted. The claim for COPD was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of COPD is not related to his service, and thus denied service connection for a respiratory disability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a respiratory disorder, now claimed as COPD. The claim is therefore denied.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for respiratory conditions, including COPD and emphysema, as secondary to his service-connected sinusitis. He also seeks a TDIU rating. The claims are being remanded due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's income exceeded the maximum annual pension rate and whether there are any new or material pieces of evidence for his service connection claims. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran contends that his current respiratory disorders, including asthma and COPD, are due to exposure to burn pits, depleted uranium, and other toxic substances during service in Iraq. The Board finds the VA examination inadequate for adjudication purposes and remands the case for a new examination and medical opinion.

The Veteran's respiratory disability, including COPD, asthma, bronchitis, chronic rhinitis, pharyngitis and other respiratory abnormalities, is being remanded for further development as the VA examination was inadequate. The examiner did not address in-service asbestos exposure by the Veteran or his pre-existing asthma.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, lumbar spine disorder, and asbestosis/COPD are service-connected based on direct evidence of a link to his military service.

The Board has remanded this case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a supplemental opinion on the relationship between the Veteran's service and his terminal respiratory failure, pulmonary effusion, adenocarcinoma, and COPD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis for lung cancer, COPD, or residuals of pneumonia. The VA examiner found no objective evidence to support these diagnoses and opined that there is no relationship between the diagnosed conditions and service.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding service connection for a respiratory disability and an increased rating for lung cancer, status post lobectomy.

The Veteran's lung disorder, including COPD and asthma in quiescent, is being remanded for additional development due to new diagnoses and potential service connection.

The Veteran's appendectomy and oomphaticectomy residuals are not service-connected, as the current scars do not meet criteria for a compensable rating. The lung disorder to include bronchial asthma and COPD is not service-connected due to lack of evidence during service or within one year post-service. The back disorder is also not service-connected as arthritis was not manifest in service. The ventral hernia, GERD, and heart condition are not service-connected.

The Board found that the Veteran's COPD and asthma did not have its onset in service or are otherwise related to service for reasons discussed, thus denying both claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a respiratory examination. The issues include determining if his collapsed left lung warrants an initial compensable rating, service connection for chronic respiratory conditions (including bronchitis, asthma, emphysema, COPD), and sleep apnea are warranted, as well as whether he is entitled to TDIU.

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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected asthma with COPD.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of his COPD and sleep apnea.