COPD Board decisions

The Veteran's respiratory disorders are presumed to be due to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents. However, the Board has ordered a remand for further examination and opinion regarding the relationship between his current respiratory conditions and his service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and therefore denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory conditions, including asthma, COPD, and obstructive sleep apnea, are not service-connected as they were not shown during active duty or due to exposure to smoke, gas, lead paint, paint thinner, and asbestos.

The Veteran's lung scarring and COPD were not incurred or aggravated in service, and may not be presumed to be service connected. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claim for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion as to whether any of the Veteran's conditions that caused his death are related to service. The appeal is currently in remand status.

The Board has determined that the current development of the case is inadequate and remands it for further action, including additional diagnostic testing and an opinion from a respiratory specialist.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected conditions, and therefore, denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has found no evidence linking the Veteran's current bronchitis and COPD to his military service, including herbicide exposure. The preponderance of the evidence is against the claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, hypertension, and a bilateral eye disability. The Veteran's COPD was not found to be related to service exposure or asbestos/gas exposure. His hypertension was determined not to have been incurred in service and is not considered secondary to any service-connected condition.,Service connection for the Veteran’s bilateral eye disability was also denied as there was no evidence linking it to his service.

The Board has denied service connection for asthma, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing condition did not increase in severity during service and was not aggravated by service. The COPD claim is pending as it relates to a secondary service connection issue.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma was reopened and granted. He is now entitled to a 30% rating for his respiratory disorder, effective July 29, 2011.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding the issues of entitlement to a compensable evaluation for a service-connected scar, status post right knee cystectomy and entitlement to a compensable evaluation for service-connected right spermatocele and left variscocele asymptomatic. The claim for service connection for COPD is reopened but denied as there is no evidence that it is related to the Veteran's period of active service.

The Veteran has withdrawn all his appeals, including those for service connection and nonservice-connected pension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory/lung pathology, including asthma and COPD, is not etiologically related to her active military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was not caused by any incident of active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's skin and lung disorders (melanoma of the face and back, COPD) were not incurred in service and are not otherwise related to service, including in-service herbicide exposure. Service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not cause the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, thus denying entitlement to SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is etiologically related to his active service, and thus grants service connection for COPD.

The case is being remanded to obtain a clarifying opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's COPD and whether it was related to service, including asbestos exposure. The issues of service connection for the cause of death and COPD are also being remanded.