COPD Board decisions

The Board has determined that the VA examiner's opinion is inadequate and remands the case for a new medical examination to determine if the appellant’s asthma and COPD were clearly and unmistakably aggravated by his active service.

All claims for service connection have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.,The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current disability related to any of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were denied as not incurred in service.

The Veteran's death was due to cardiorespiratory failure caused by CAD and COPD. His service-connected anxiety disorder aggravated his COPD, contributing to his death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to independently perform daily functions of self-care or unable to protect himself from the hazards and dangers incident to his daily environment, thus denying special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a digestive disorder, PTSD, and COPD have been denied. The appeal is also denied for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus type II. The issues of service connection for eye disorder (secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus) and TDIU are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and COPD in February 2009. The RO also denied reopening these claims in September 2007. New evidence received since these decisions is not considered new and material, so the claims remain denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's hypertension, which is presumed to be related to service exposure. The Veteran's COPD and diabetes mellitus are not service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, but the effective dates are not specified. The ratings assigned for obesity and hypertension remain unchanged.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for service-connected erectile dysfunction was denied. The Veteran is currently rated at 60 percent for his service-connected amputation of the left forearm pronator teres.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities were granted effective August 1, 2014. He also has a claim for an earlier effective date which is being remanded.,The Veteran's new claim for service connection for heart condition was denied. His hypertension, COPD, obstructive sleep apnea, prostate cancer, and tinnitus claims are all pending.,A total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected COPD, fibrosis, bronchiectasis and asbestosis is being remanded due to the need for additional private treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for breathing problems, finding that the evidence does not support a link between the Veteran's current respiratory issues and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone have not caused him to be permanently bedridden or rendered so helpless as to need the regular aid and attendance of another person during the appellate period. The Board denied entitlement to special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has denied service connection for neck (cervical) disability, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The Veteran's current conditions are not considered to be related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to chronic leukemia, as there was no evidence linking it to his military service or exposure to radiation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory condition due to asbestos exposure and vertigo secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, low back disability, and COPD (including as a result of exposure to herbicide agents) have been granted. The claim for service connection for asthma has been denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete documentation and further development is required, including obtaining complete study from the NIH and Air Force manual cited by the neurologist.

The Veteran's left knee disorder and erectile dysfunction are service-connected, but the right knee disorder, cervical spine disorder, bilateral hearing loss, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and asthma are not.,Service connection is granted for erectile dysfunction as secondary to hypertension. The other conditions remain denied.,There is no evidence of a current cystalgia (pain in the bladder) disability, so service connection is denied.,The Veteran's right knee disorder, cervical spine disorder, bilateral hearing loss, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and asthma are not service-connected.,Service connection for the cervical spine disorder is granted as it is related to a low back disorder. The other conditions remain denied.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss due to inservice noise exposure. The other conditions remain denied.,Service connection is granted for bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and asthma due to inservice noise exposure. The other conditions remain denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current respiratory disorder attributable to service, including asbestos exposure. The preponderance of evidence shows that his pleural effusion and plaques are markers of past asbestos exposure rather than an active condition.