COPD Board decisions

The Veteran died from chronic renal failure, COPD and hypertension. The Board found that these conditions were not service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA respiratory examination to assess the nature and cause of the Veteran's lung disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for pulmonary sarcoidosis and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's current respiratory disorders (emphysema, COPD and chronic bronchitis) are not related to his active military service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of COPD is not related to his active service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's diagnosed COPD is not related to his military service, including exposure to chemicals. The preponderance of evidence indicates that his COPD is due to his extensive history of smoking.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional development, including an opinion from a VA pulmonologist regarding whether the Veteran's current COPD arose in service or is related to his service for reasons other than in-service cigarette smoking.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a new VA examination.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the failure of a previous VA medical opinion to address whether asbestosis, listed on the Veteran's death certificate, is related to his service. The Appellant contends that asbestos exposure during military service contributed to the Veteran's lung cancer and other respiratory conditions.

The Veteran's service connection for sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for a medical opinion regarding whether his service-connected COPD has caused or aggravated his sleep apnea.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for COPD and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a relationship between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has found that the Veteran's tinnitus, heart disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), and COPD are not related to service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues of service connection for psychiatric disorder, pulmonary disability, skin disability, and neurological disability. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II was not shown to have manifested during active military service or within one year of separation, and is not etiologically related to service.,The Veteran's testicular condition did not manifest during active military service or within one year of separation, is not etiologically related to service, and is not caused by a service-connected disability. The shortness of breath was not shown to have manifested during active military service or within one year of separation, is not etiologically related to asbestos exposure in service, and is not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability.,The Veteran's swollen right leg and left leg are considered acute symptoms of right heart failure which resolves with diuretics.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and Hypertension, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a need for clarification of the opinion regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for emphysema and COPD, including asbestos exposure.

The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected interstitial lung disease and also wishes to reopen a claim for service connection for COPD. The RO has not yet issued an SOC on the new and material evidence issue, and the VA examiner's opinion regarding the impact of pleural plaques on PFT results is insufficient. The case is REMANDED for further development.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, DM, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active service. The Veteran's exposure to herbicides is presumed but not applicable to these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected COPD does not warrant a compensable rating, as her pulmonary function test results show mild impairment.