COPD decisions — 2018

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues of service connection for psychiatric disorder, pulmonary disability, skin disability, and neurological disability. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II was not shown to have manifested during active military service or within one year of separation, and is not etiologically related to service.,The Veteran's testicular condition did not manifest during active military service or within one year of separation, is not etiologically related to service, and is not caused by a service-connected disability. The shortness of breath was not shown to have manifested during active military service or within one year of separation, is not etiologically related to asbestos exposure in service, and is not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability.,The Veteran's swollen right leg and left leg are considered acute symptoms of right heart failure which resolves with diuretics.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and Hypertension, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a need for clarification of the opinion regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for emphysema and COPD, including asbestos exposure.

The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected interstitial lung disease and also wishes to reopen a claim for service connection for COPD. The RO has not yet issued an SOC on the new and material evidence issue, and the VA examiner's opinion regarding the impact of pleural plaques on PFT results is insufficient. The case is REMANDED for further development.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, DM, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active service. The Veteran's exposure to herbicides is presumed but not applicable to these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected COPD does not warrant a compensable rating, as her pulmonary function test results show mild impairment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, asthma, bilateral hilar adenopathy, and obstructive sleep apnea as these conditions are not shown to be related to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has denied a higher initial rating for the Veteran's asbestos lung disease with COPD, finding that the current ratings adequately reflect his disability.

The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against finding that the Veteran's pulmonary disorders are etiologically related to his in-service asbestos exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's respiratory disorders, including COPD, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, asthma, and bronchiectasis, finding that his in-service exposure to smoke and herbicides caused these conditions.

The Veteran's current pulmonary functioning is attributed to his nonservice-connected COPD, not his service-connected asbestosis. As a result, the Veteran does not meet the criteria for an initial compensable disability evaluation for asbestosis.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his conditions were not related to his military service or any presumptive exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma as secondary to his service-connected allergic rhinitis is being remanded due to ambiguity in the medical records and need for further clarification of diagnoses.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, bronchitis, and asthma. The decision concluded that these conditions are not related to his military service or presumed herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, left wrist DJD, and hepatitis C are related to service. The right shoulder, right knee, left knee, low back, and respiratory disabilities are not shown to be related to service. Bilateral hearing loss is also not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's right hand/wrist disability is not service-connected as it pre-existed his active duty and was not aggravated by service.,Fibromyalgia, respiratory disorder (COPD/Emphysema), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are not service-connected as they did not manifest during or due to service. OSA is also not service-connected as it pre-existed his active duty and was not aggravated by service.,Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is service-connected as it first manifested after the Veteran's second period of service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of COPD or asbestosis, and thus denied service connection for these conditions. The TDIU claim is also denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's COPD is not related to his service, including exposure to asbestos. The opinion from the VA examiner indicated that the current respiratory disability did not originate in service and was more likely due to long-term smoking.