COPD decisions — 2022

The Board denied service connection for COPD, which the Veteran claimed was secondary to his service-connected ischemic heart disease. The VA examiners concluded that COPD is more likely due to the Veteran's history of smoking rather than his service-connected ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's death was attributed to heart disease, COPD, and diabetes. The appeal is remanded due to insufficient evidence of herbicide exposure in service.

The Board denied service connection for chronic bronchitis, asthma, and COPD as these conditions did not manifest during active service or within a year of separation from service. The Veteran's statements regarding exposure to herbicide agents were found to be unsubstantiated by personnel records.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection for COPD due to a grant of service connection in November 2021. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's COPD, including whether it is related to service or environmental exposures.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lung disorder, including as secondary to his service-connected atrial fibrillation. The evidence did not support a finding of asbestos-related lung disease or asbestosis and there was no direct link between COPD and service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for sarcoidosis, previously claimed as COPD.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD and emphysema, finding that the Veteran's current respiratory disorders are related to his in-service asbestos exposure and breathing vapors, dusts, gases, and fumes (VGDF).

The Veteran's death was caused by his preexisting COPD, which VA failed to diagnose and treat properly. The Board found that the VA primary care provider did not exercise reasonable skill and care in diagnosing and treating the condition, resulting in the Veteran's hastened death from emphysema.

The Board has remanded both claims of service connection for lumbar spine disorder and respiratory disorder (initially claimed as COPD) due to the need to locate missing records, obtain additional evidence from the Veteran, and provide an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for GERD, OSA, and a pulmonary disorder other than OSA to obtain additional opinions from medical professionals. The issues are related to whether these conditions are service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an addendum medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected Hodgkin's Lymphoma aggravated his COPD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to consider his lay statements regarding shortness of breath over the last 30 years. The case is now pending for a new VA medical opinion that addresses all of his claimed pulmonary conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lung cancer, emphysema, COPD, and residuals of right lung lobectomy due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The Veteran's long history of smoking is considered more likely the cause of her respiratory disabilities.

Service connection for asbestosis is granted.,Service connection for cause of death due to asbestosis is granted.,Service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) due to asbestos exposure is remanded.,Service connection for diabetes due to herbicide exposure is remanded.,Service connection for kidney failure due to herbicide exposure is remanded.,Service connection for heart condition is remanded.

The Veteran's IBS has been rated at a maximum of 30 percent, but no higher. The VA is directed to obtain an updated examination for COPD and provide the Veteran with a new examination regarding his exposure to sodium dichromate.,The VA must also determine whether the Veteran's current symptoms are related to his service or any other exposures.

The Veteran's claims for recurrent pneumonia, chronic bronchitis, and COPD are all denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during service or that they are related to service.,The Veteran currently has diagnosed chronic bronchitis but the VA examiner found it less likely than not incurred in service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for asthma, COPD, squamous cell carcinoma, and acquired pneumonia due to potential exposure to mustard gas during active duty training at Fort McClellan. The VA is instructed to obtain updated medical records and schedule the Veteran for a new examination to determine if his current conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding service connection for a respiratory disorder, including COPD. The VA examiner's opinion is based on an inaccurate medical history and does not provide sufficient reasoning.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 100 percent rating for squamous cell carcinoma of the lungs status post right lower lobe lobectomy, and has remanded to determine service connection for residuals of lung cancer.