COPD Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of COPD is not etiologically related to an upper respiratory infection incurred in service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability.,Service-connected disabilities did not cause the Veteran to be in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound before his death.

The Veteran has withdrawn all issues on appeal, including his claims for service connection for a back disability, COPD, and hypertension. The Board does not have jurisdiction to review these matters as the appeal is dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lung disorder, other than asthma, finding no current diagnosis of COPD or asbestosis and noting that her only respiratory diagnosis was asthma. The Board also found no evidence to support presumptive service connection under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317.

The Board found that the Veteran's respiratory disorder, diagnosed as COPD and emphysema, is not related to service or a service-connected condition. The evidence does not support an onset during service and there is no credible link between the current condition and service.

The Veteran's lung disorder is not service-connected, and his kidney disorder is also not service-connected. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable prior to July 20, 2016, and at least 10 percent thereafter.,Service connection for a lung disorder was denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service or any exposure to asbestos or trichloroethylene. Service connection for a kidney disorder was also denied as there is no evidence of in-service problems that could be linked to current conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with emphysema was granted a rating of 60 percent effective November 10, 2014. The Veteran also received TDIU benefits based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has found that the Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis is etiologically related to his active duty service. The claims for COPD and asbestosis are remanded due to lack of a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is etiologically related to his in-service exposure to environmental toxins, including diesel fumes, paint fumes, cleaning solvents, and asbestos. As such, service connection for COPD is granted.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for residuals of a right ankle sprain and residuals of a coccyx contusion, granted service connection for a skin disorder (psoriasis and dermatitis), and remanded the issues of service connection for a sleep disorder, a disorder manifested by blackouts, a disorder manifested by dizziness, an eye disorder, residuals of a right ankle sprain, residuals of a right great toe injury, and residuals of a coccyx contusion for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD with smoking induced emphysema and hypertension are not related to his service, including exposure to environmental hazards in Iraq. The claim for COPD is denied, while the claim for hypertension remains pending as it requires further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including skin disorders, hypertension, COPD, arthritis of the right ankle, and gout. The VA examiner opined that these conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute substantially to his death. The Appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD did not have its clinical onset during service or for many years thereafter and is not otherwise related to active duty, including exposure to herbicides. Therefore, service connection for COPD for purposes of accrued benefits is denied.

The Veteran's claim for increased disability rating and eligibility for Dependents' Education Assistance benefits was granted. The appeal is denied as there was no valid notice of disagreement filed in connection with the August 2011 rating decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including asthma and COPD, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and consideration of relevant evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of her claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary due to the inadequacy of the Veteran's Compensation and Pension (C&P) examination, which did not address the Veteran's contentions regarding his COPD and lung disease.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD is being remanded due to the need for further medical opinion regarding whether his COPD was aggravated by his service-connected lung disability.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative prior to the Board issuing a decision.