COPD Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bronchiectasis and respiratory disorders is granted, with the condition being reopened due to new evidence. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that it was not caused by military service or lung cancer and more likely due to his history of heavy tobacco use.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and he did not meet the criteria for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and/or anxiety disorder) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives and a need for another VA examination.

The Veteran's cause of death (COPD and hypertension) was not service-connected, as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of a 10-year duration or continuous five-year period of total disability rating.

The Board denied service connection for a lung disability, including COPD and lung cancer, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a relationship to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lung condition, COPD, and scarring of the lungs due to pneumonia. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine condition, left ankle condition, bilateral pes planus, and COPD. The Veteran's right foot hallux valgus was granted a compensable rating of 10%.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating.,The Veteran's service connection claims for left arm condition, COPD, bilateral lung nodules, left thyroid mass, and carpal tunnel syndrome of the left hand are pending as they require verification of herbicide agent exposure during service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claim of service connection for a lung condition, but has remanded the case to obtain an opinion regarding whether his diagnosed COPD and emphysema are related to service exposure to asbestos.

The Veteran's lung disability (COPD) is remanded for further development, including obtaining service treatment records from his second period of active duty and a VA opinion on the etiology of his condition. The issue of service connection will be decided de novo.

The Veteran's claim for a wrist disability was denied as he does not have a chronic wrist disability.,The Veteran's claim for COPD was denied as the evidence did not establish a link between his in-service exposure and his current condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to uncertainty regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected pleural plaques aggravate his emphysema, which is a key factor in determining if he can establish service connection for COPD and emphysema.

The Board has granted service connection for asthma and COPD as aggravated by service-connected disabilities, and gastrointestinal disorders including GERD, hiatal hernia, and H. pylori gastritis are also granted as aggravated by service-connected conditions. Service connection for diabetes is reopened but not yet decided.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, atherosclerosis, and prostate cancer due to Agent Orange exposure as the Veteran was not exposed to herbicide agents while stationed in Fort Gordon, Georgia or Fort Clayton, Panama.

The Veteran's high cholesterol is not service-connected and thus no rating is assigned.,Service connection for undiagnosed multi-symptom illness (Gulf War Syndrome) has been granted with a 40% disability rating, which is the maximum allowed under current criteria.,Bilateral hearing loss is rated at 30%, which is the maximum allowed under current criteria. Tinnitus is rated at 10%. Valvular heart disease is rated at 70% (subject to regulations governing payment of monetary awards).,PTSD has been granted with a 70% disability rating, and COPD was not service-connected after April 23, 2013.,The Veteran's undiagnosed multi-symptom illness is rated based on the criteria for fibromyalgia. The Veteran does have separate ratings for his gastrointestinal symptoms (GERD) and skin condition (dermatitis or eczema).,COPD was not service-connected after April 23, 2013.

The Board denied service connection for COPD as the preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that it was incurred in or aggravated by service.,The Veteran's ventral hernia associated with sternal abdominal scar is rated at 10 percent, which is considered noncompensable. The Board found no basis to increase this rating.

The Board has denied service connection for asbestosis, and the case is remanded for further action on service connection claims for emphysema and COPD.

The Board has denied service connection for COPD with asbestos, asbestosis associated with asbestos, and heart condition. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the heart condition.