COPD decisions — 2018

The Veteran's respiratory disorder, including bronchitis and COPD, was not incurred in or caused by service.,There is no evidence establishing a nexus between the Veteran's current bilateral eye disorders and his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including asbestos-related lung disease and bilateral hearing loss, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since February 17, 2004. The Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis for this period.

The Board found that the Veteran's respiratory disabilities were not incurred in or related to service, nor are they secondary to his service-connected costochondritis.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues of entitlement to service connection for skin cancer, arthritis, emphysema with COPD, congestive heart failure, and an increased rating for bilateral interstitial fibrosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current disabilities and active service.

The Veteran's lung disability was rated at 100% effective from February 5, 2016. The appeal for service connection for PTSD and residuals of left upper leg burn were granted with new and material evidence received.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination. The issues of service connection for PTSD related to military sexual trauma, chronic bronchitis, asthma, COPD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD) are pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current COPD is not related to his military service, including his exposure to herbicides. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran died from chronic renal failure, COPD and hypertension. The Board found that these conditions were not service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA respiratory examination to assess the nature and cause of the Veteran's lung disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for pulmonary sarcoidosis and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's current respiratory disorders (emphysema, COPD and chronic bronchitis) are not related to his active military service. The claim for service connection is denied.

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

The Board found that the Veteran's diagnosed COPD is not related to his military service, including exposure to chemicals. The preponderance of evidence indicates that his COPD is due to his extensive history of smoking.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional development, including an opinion from a VA pulmonologist regarding whether the Veteran's current COPD arose in service or is related to his service for reasons other than in-service cigarette smoking.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a new VA examination.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the failure of a previous VA medical opinion to address whether asbestosis, listed on the Veteran's death certificate, is related to his service. The Appellant contends that asbestos exposure during military service contributed to the Veteran's lung cancer and other respiratory conditions.

The Veteran's service connection for sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for a medical opinion regarding whether his service-connected COPD has caused or aggravated his sleep apnea.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for COPD and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a relationship between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has found that the Veteran's tinnitus, heart disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), and COPD are not related to service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.