COPD Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal because a timely notice of disagreement was not received within one year from the February 2013 rating decision denying service connection for bilateral hearing loss and COPD.

The Veteran's knee and shoulder disabilities were not shown to be related to service, and his respiratory disorder is unrelated to service. Service connection for these conditions was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has not met the criteria for a higher disability rating, and his claim is denied.

The Board denied the claim of entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding no evidence that his death was caused by a disability incurred in service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, COPD, heart condition, prostate cancer, and diabetes mellitus, type II due to incomplete records and potential exposure to environmental chemicals during service.

The Board dismissed all claims as the Veteran died during the appeal process and thus, no jurisdiction remains to adjudicate the merits of the cases.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there is no competent evidence linking COPD and pneumonia to active service or any service-connected disability.

The appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA examination reports and treatment records.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any left hand and/or right hand disability.

The Veteran's COPD is at least as likely as not related to exposure to contaminants in service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service connected disabilities (TDIU) is granted effective April 26, 2000. The Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD/emphysema, abdominal aortic aneurysm, and carotid artery disease are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his reported exposure to chemicals during active duty, including herbicides. The appeals are pending and will be reconsidered.

Service connection for PTSD is granted. The Veteran's stroke residuals are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because he died during the pendency of his claim for service connection for lung disabilities, including COPD and asbestosis.

The Board has found that the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative joint disease, COPD, and lung disability are not related to service or herbicide agent exposure. The blood disorder affecting the right arm is presumed due to herbicide agent exposure.,The right-hand Dupuytren's contracture is not related to service or herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lung condition, including emphysema, pneumonitis and COPD, has been reopened. However, the case is still pending as it was remanded due to the need for additional examination.

The claims for avascular necrosis of the hips and COPD are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate addendum opinions regarding second-hand smoke exposure during service and its potential connection to the Veteran's death. The examiner is asked to provide an opinion as to whether it is at least as likely as not that second-hand smoke exposure in service caused or contributed substantially or materially to the Veteran’s death, addressing all causes of death listed on his death certificate.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Ischemic Heart Disease, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, and Type II Diabetes Mellitus have been granted. The claim for service connection for COPD is remanded.