COPD Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected COPD is currently rated at 60 percent prior to August 16, 2012. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD, but denied the remaining issues of entitlement to service connection for coronary artery disease, hypertension, and degenerative bone disease.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and COPD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms were not caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. The Veteran's COPD was found to be less likely as not incurred in service due to recurrent bronchitis, which is not considered a chronic condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, specifically bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claims for skin cancer, sebaceous cysts, heart disease, and COPD are also denied as there is no evidence of a nexus to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the nature and extent of his service-connected residuals from non-small cell carcinoma with pneumonectomy. The Veteran will also be notified about obtaining private medical records.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 100% disability rating for adenocarcinoma of the lung, effective February 1, 2012. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is moot as the Veteran now has a 100% disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to include secondary to peripheral neuropathy and herbicide exposure is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,Service connection granted for upper extremity peripheral neuropathy due to diabetes mellitus.,Service connection granted for lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to diabetes mellitus.,Essential tremors of the hands were not incurred or aggravated in service and are not related to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's death was caused by clostridium difficile colitis, tracheobronchitis, and COPD. The Board finds that the issue of negligence on behalf of VA doctors during treatment falls under the primary issue of entitlement to service connection for cause of death.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of herbicide exposure in Thailand. The Veteran's service connection claim remains pending.

The Veteran died from a head injury, but there is no evidence linking his breathing problems or asbestosis to his military service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for cause of death is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for various conditions, but denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates. The case is being remanded to issue a Statement of the Case on these issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral plantar posterior calcaneal spurs was denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the condition and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory disorder, including COPD and asbestosis, is related to his active service. The appeal for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PAD of the bilateral lower extremities was aggravated by his service-connected coronary artery disease, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is not etiologically related to his military service and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA examination and the issuance of a SOC regarding his hearing loss rating reduction. The lung disorder claim will also be remanded to determine if service connection can be established based on presumed exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's COPD was rated at 60 percent disabling from January 15, 2011 to September 29, 2015.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issues of service connection for dizziness, sleep apnea, headaches, and COPD, all to include as due to herbicide agent exposure.

The Board found no evidence of a respiratory disability in service and concluded that the current respiratory disabilities are not related to service. The Veteran's lay statements were deemed insufficient to establish medical etiology or nexus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a pulmonary disability, including COPD, and for entitlement to TDIU. The Board found that there was no nexus between the Veteran's diagnosed COPD and other pulmonary disabilities and his military service.