COPD Board decisions

The Veteran's service connection claims for a respiratory disability and hypertension have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish an in-service injury, disease or relevant event with regard to these conditions, and thus could not grant service connection on any theory of entitlement raised by the Veteran or the record.

The Veteran's service-connected asbestosis with COPD, emphysema, chronic bronchitis and mesothelioma render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service connection claim for COPD is granted as the Board finds that his current diagnosis of COPD had its onset in service and is directly related to his military service, including exposure to chemical irritants like diesel fumes and pesticides.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including asthma and COPD; an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss; an initial compensable disability rating for asbestosis; and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The remand is necessary due to incomplete medical records and the need for new VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD is reopened, but the case is remanded to obtain additional medical records and schedule a VA examination.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for COPD, including as due to exposure to herbicides, is remanded. The Veteran's entitlement to service connection for lupus, including as due to exposure to herbicides, is also remanded.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of any respiratory disorder, including COPD. The Veteran's service-connected PTSD may have caused or aggravated his use of tobacco products, which could have contributed to his development of COPD.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death due to asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, attributing it to a history of asthma during military service. The exposure to herbicide agents, specifically Agent Orange, was not considered as the primary cause.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, COPD, left and right elbow disabilities, left and right shoulder disabilities, and bilateral knee disabilities due to lack of evidence of a current disability. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for gout has been dismissed. The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for COPD, IHD, prostate cancer, type II diabetes, and peripheral neuropathy due to his exposure to herbicide agents during service in the South China Sea.

The Board has denied service connection for latent tuberculosis and remanded the issue of service connection for a respiratory disorder, including pneumonia, COPD, and asthma.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right knee chondromalacia and lung problems to include emphysema and COPD have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or are otherwise related to his military service.,The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for radiculopathy, left lower extremity associated with residuals of lower back injury is also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a respiratory disorder (COPD and emphysema), a skin disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to in-service herbicide-agent exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for COPD as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The VA examiner concluded that there was no causal or aggravating relationship between the Veteran’s service-connected diabetes and his diagnosed COPD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened and granted for cataracts due to diabetes mellitus. The Board also found that the Veteran's headache disability is related to his active service, but remanded other issues including sinusitis, emphysema, COPD, gallbladder condition, Crohn’s disease, pancreatitis, acid reflux, stroke residuals, arthritis, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar and cervical spine, diabetic retinopathy, tinnitus, hypertension, peripheral vascular/arterial disease (PVD/PAD) of both lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction.

The Board denied service connection for neck, eye (macular degeneration), respiratory, TBI residuals, and psychiatric disorders as the evidence did not show a nexus to active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and a need for an examination. The Veteran's COPD is being reviewed again as it may be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of a separate 10 percent rating for cranial nerve VII due to Frey Syndrome should not be earlier than March 2, 2015. The Veteran's claims for service connection and higher ratings are remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma and COPD due to insufficient evidence, including a need for an addendum VA opinion on whether his current conditions are related to active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for COPD and a heart disorder due to lack of verification regarding reported asbestos exposure in service. The claims are now pending again with instructions to undertake development based on this exposure.