COPD decisions — 2018

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities as he does not have one disability of 60% or more and his combined disability rating is less than 70%. However, due to his other non-service connected conditions, including COPD, pulmonary hypertension, congestive heart failure, and diastolic dysfunction, the Veteran may be unemployable.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected asthma. The TDIU issue is remanded.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis was found to have its onset during active duty service and is therefore granted service connection. The respiratory disability, including chronic bronchitis and COPD, was not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran died from pneumonia with contributing factors of metastatic cancer and COPD. The Board found that a service-connected disability did not cause or contribute substantially to his death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his COPD, asthma, hypertension, heart condition, and bilateral lower extremity edema.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, migraines, heart disability, arthritis, and respiratory disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's respiratory condition did not originate in service or for many years thereafter and is not otherwise related to active service. The Board denied the claims of service connection for a respiratory disability, cause of death, and DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and an inadequate VA medical opinion. The Veteran's claim for service connection for respiratory disability, including asthma and COPD, is pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted. The remaining issues remain pending.

The VA determined that there was no direct evidence linking the Veteran's COPD to his active service, and the medical opinions provided did not support a finding of aggravation by his service-connected lung cancer.

The Board found that a lung disability other than lung cancer was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty service and is not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability, including diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of COPD, and thus cannot establish service connection for this condition. The claim for OSA is remanded as there was inadequate rationale provided in the VA examination.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to determine the relationship between the Veteran's current conditions and his active service, including whether any are related to exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand.

The Board has ordered remand to obtain additional medical opinions and compliance with prior remand instructions. The appeal will be returned for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and COPD are not related to his service, with no evidence of in-service noise exposure or respiratory injury. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory condition, including asthma, COPD, and bronchitis, is being remanded due to inadequate medical examinations. The VA will obtain an opinion that takes into consideration the conceded asbestos exposure in-service and other exposures such as smoke inhalation.

The Veteran's cause of death was not service-connected, and the appellant did not meet the income requirements for VA pension benefits.

The Veteran's COPD is presumed to be due to his service in the Republic of Vietnam, where he was exposed to herbicides. The Board has decided that a VA examination should be conducted and additional medical records obtained before deciding this case.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current lung disease, diagnosed as COPD, is due to his history of smoking and not asbestos exposure. Therefore, service connection for a pulmonary disability, including asbestosis, is denied.

The Veteran withdrew the appeal of the issue of entitlement to service connection for a dental disorder prior to the Board's decision.