COPD Board decisions

The Veteran's cause of death was attributed to multiple conditions, including cancer and sepsis. The Board found that the Veteran served during a period of war and thus met one criterion for entitlement to VA death pension benefits. However, his income exceeded the maximum annual pension rate, preventing him from receiving this benefit.

The Board has remanded the case for additional medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's preexisting asthma and COPD existed prior to service and were not aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's initial rating for headaches was denied as his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating. The lung condition issue is remanded due to inadequate examination.

Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was denied as there is no diagnosed mental health disorder during the appeal period.,Service connection for a respiratory disorder, to include COPD and pulmonary emphysema, was denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service or herbicide exposure.,Service connection for oropharyngeal cancer was denied as there is no objective evidence of a primary respiratory cancer.

The Board has determined that the unauthorized medical expenses incurred during a hospitalization at Saint Joseph London (Kentucky) from September 27th, 2013 through September 30th, 2013 are eligible for payment or reimbursement under VA regulations.

The Veteran's asbestosis with COPD was rated at 10 percent prior to December 8, 2008. It increased to 30 percent from December 8, 2008 to May 11, 2009; 60 percent from May 11, 2009 to June 12, 2014; and 100 percent after June 12, 2014. The rating was subsequently reduced to 60 percent after May 5, 2016.

The Veteran's respiratory disorders, including COPD and obstructive sleep apnea, were not incurred in service. The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure or other events that could have caused the conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD and found that the Veteran's combined rating is at least 70%, meeting the criteria for a TDIU. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including COPD, anxiety disorder, sinusitis, left hip strain, bilateral hearing loss, lumbosacral strain, and hiatal hernia, are deemed to preclude his participation in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death was not caused by or related to his military service, including any exposure to herbicides. The Board also found no service-connected disability at the time of his death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD (claimed as pulmonary emphysema) and major depressive disorder was reopened, and both conditions were granted. Service connection for a hip disorder related to the service-connected lumbar spine disability is also remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a pulmonary disorder, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses of asthma, COPD, and chronic bronchitis were not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an incomplete opinion regarding whether COPD is related to service. The Veteran's lay statements and reports of symptoms are considered, but further examination and opinion are needed.

The Veteran's COPD is not etiologically related to his active duty service. The Board found that the September 1968 bronchitis was an acute infection and did not contribute to the development of COPD.

The Veteran's adenocarcinoma of the right lung is found to be related to asbestos exposure during service.,Service connection for COPD and emphysema are not granted as these conditions were first manifested many years after service and are not causally or etiologically related to service, including in-service asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's death was not related to service or a service-connected disability, and the evidence does not support service connection for his cause of death.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lung disorder, to include COPD and bilateral hearing loss. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been presented to reopen a claim for hypertension is inextricably intertwined with the psychiatric disorder claim.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is found to be related to his in-service noise exposure.,Service connection for a back disability, including IVDS and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, is granted. The Veteran's peripheral vascular disease in the left leg is also service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory disability, including COPD, was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is not related to his military service or asbestos exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and denied service connection for COPD. The Veteran's psychiatric disorder is found to be related to his military service.