COPD Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is secondary to his service-connected asbestosis, and thus grants service connection for COPD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, COPD, and asbestosis are remanded due to conflicting diagnoses and the need for updated examinations. The impact of a coronary artery bypass surgery on pulmonary function tests is also unclear.

The VA denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for the Veteran's residuals of right thoracotomy, finding that his symptoms are attributable to nonservice-connected COPD.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and there is no evidence that his COPD or myocardial infarction were related to asbestos exposure in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD was incurred during active duty service and granted her claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory disability, including bronchiectasis, COPD, emphysema, pulmonary fibrosis, and asthma, is related to his in-service pneumonia. As such, service connection for a respiratory disability is granted.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, finding that the preponderance of evidence does not support a link between the Veteran's current condition and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting evidence regarding whether the Veteran's asthma existed prior to service and if it was aggravated by service. The VA examiner’s opinion is inadequate for adjudicating this claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence suggesting the Veteran may have had a restrictive lung disease during his lifetime, and whether this could be attributed to in-service exposure. The VA examiner will need to address these issues.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate Gulf War VA examination and need for further medical opinions regarding his claimed conditions.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) from August 8, 2013 to November 17, 2018 due to service-connected PTSD and COPD. The Board found that the evidence was in equipoise as to whether he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for COPD and thoracic spine pain. The Veteran's claim of service connection for COPD is reopened, but his claim for thoracic spine pain remains denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance of another person due to service-connected disabilities, as well as housebound status due to service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not establish that the Veteran was in need of regular aid and assistance or permanently housebound solely due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim of service connection for COPD should be remanded due to inadequate medical opinion and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and a skin disorder due to insufficient medical evidence. The VA will obtain new opinions regarding whether these conditions are related to service, including exposure to trichloroethylene.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence linking his death to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities. The Veteran's service connection claim for COPD is also being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, COPD, asthma condition, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a respiratory condition, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current respiratory disabilities and service or a service-connected disability.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence linking any service-connected condition to his death. The Veteran died from COPD, which was not service-connected.