COPD Board decisions

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as service connection claims for hypothyroidism, GERD, a low back disability, left and right elbow degenerative joint disease, gout (claimed as bilateral foot disability), COPD, kidney, and prostate disabilities. The Board has also dismissed the Veteran's appeals of these issues due to his withdrawal of them.

The Board has granted service connection for emphysema, COPD, and hepatitis C as aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. The Appellant testified that the Veteran’s PTSD caused his panic attacks which in turn aggravated his COPD and emphysema.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, left hip disability, and dismissed the claim of service connection for sciatic nerve disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for the Veteran's cause of death, including his hypertension, coronary artery disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The VA is instructed to obtain the Veteran’s complete VA treatment records and verify any herbicide exposure or Gulf War service environmental exposures.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD with emphysema, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to his in-service exposure to asbestos. The Board concluded that the Veteran's current respiratory condition is more likely due to tobacco smoking than to any in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for COPD was dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic bronchitis variant of COPD did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the cases for a new VA medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's bronchitis and COPD are related to service, particularly exposure to burn pits. The opinions must consider both the lay evidence of record and the treatise submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD on a secondary basis, finding that the Veteran's smoking habit is causally related to his PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disorder, COPD, and peripheral arterial disease as the evidence did not support that these conditions began during or were related to military service.

The Veteran's death was caused by myocardial infarction, with underlying causes of end stage renal disease, COPD, and chronic congestive heart failure. The Appellant contends that the Veteran’s exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during his service contributed to these conditions. However, none of the listed conditions are presumptively caused by exposure to contaminants at Camp Lejeune. The Board finds a need for a medical opinion regarding whether any of the Veteran's already service-connected conditions or exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune contributed to his death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition during service and attributing the current COPD to the Veteran's long history of tobacco use.

The Board has remanded the claims for TIA and COPD due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the etiology of these conditions. The Veteran's service connection claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD) with a history of myocardial infarction put him at greater risk for developing colon cancer and lessened his ability to fight off additional cardiac complications.

The Board has granted restoration of a 60 percent rating for COPD with sleep problems, effective from October 1, 2014. The issue of an increased rating greater than 60 percent is remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied prior to June 12, 2013 due to insufficient ratings for his service-connected disabilities. From June 12, 2013 onward, the Veteran has a combined rating of 100% for COPD and an additional disability rated at 60%, making him eligible for SMC but not TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sinus condition is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD (claimed as asthma and breathing problems) is remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for COPD, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service or any service-connected disability.

The claim to reopen service connection for bronchitis has been granted. The claims for chronic bronchitis and COPD are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a neck disorder, low back disorder, and respiratory disorder are all granted. The decision also notes that the claim of service connection for a low back disorder is reopened due to new and material evidence.