COPD Board decisions

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Veteran contends his COPD and atrial fibrillation are related to toxic exposures during his Navy service, but VA did not conduct an Individual Longitudinal Exposure Record (ILER) inquiry or obtain a nexus opinion regarding all potential TERAs.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error and needs to schedule an appropriate VA examination for the Veteran's COPD claim.

The Veteran's asthma, emphysema, and COPD are currently rated at 10 percent. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.

The Board denied service connection for COPD as the evidence did not support a finding that it began during active service or was related to an in-service injury, event, or disease. The Veteran's current COPD is attributed to heavy secondhand smoke exposure from working in bars and his mother's home.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disorder, including COPD, asthma, and bronchiectasis, due to asbestos and/or herbicide exposure or as secondary to the service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD, finding that the Veteran's current disability is causally related to his in-service exposure to asbestos. The claim was reopened due to new and material evidence submitted since the final November 2005 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for COPD due to inadequate opinions and lack of compliance with previous remand instructions.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in previous decisions and the need for further development, including obtaining medical opinions on the etiology of the Veteran's respiratory disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection of a heart disability, left knee disability, COPD, and skin cancer. The heart condition claim was already granted by the AOJ.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD and remanded the issue of secondary service connection for sleep apnea due to his service-connected unspecified depressive disorder. The AOJ must obtain a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea.

The Board denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis with gout, COPD, cardiomegaly (enlarged heart), tendonitis, erectile dysfunction, and diabetes mellitus, type II. The evidence did not support a current diagnosis of any of these conditions.,Service connection was also denied for acid reflux disease as it is not service-connected on a secondary basis.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining information about the qualifications of a VA examiner and completing a TERA memorandum. The claims for service connection are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory condition, including fibrotic lung changes, bronchiectasis, and COPD, as secondary to sarcoidosis. The evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's current conditions were related to his in-service treatment or service.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including right hand fifth digit condition, respiratory condition (including asthma and COPD), left knee arthritis, right knee arthritis, low back condition, hypertension, migraines headaches, and congestive heart failure.

Service connection for COPD and bilateral hearing loss is granted. Service connection for neck disorder and back disorder is denied.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including hyperlipidemia, hypertension, peripheral vestibular disorder, a disability manifested by passing out, obstructive sleep apnea, migraine headaches, low back disability, psychiatric disorders, allergic rhinitis, bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating. The lung condition issue (COPD) and heart condition issue are both remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and COPD as they are related to service. The VA needs to provide a new examination and medical opinions addressing the etiology of the Veteran's conditions, specifically focusing on noise exposure during service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of the issue regarding service connection for a respiratory disability, including COPD, as it is considered moot due to remand and further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of COPD, finding that it was not incurred during active duty and attributing it to exposure to secondhand smoke.