COPD Board decisions

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is now considered service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his peripheral neuropathy, COPD, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board found that the Veteran's COPD was not related to his active military service and denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development regarding his exposure to herbicide agents and toxic fumes during service.

The Board denied service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding no evidence of onset during or within one year after service. The Veteran's current osteoarthritis was attributed to his years of naval service.,Service connection for COPD was also denied as the Board found no direct link between the Veteran's military service and his condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lung condition, including asbestosis and COPD, is not related to service. There is no objective evidence of asbestos exposure in service or a current diagnosis of an asbestos-related disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, bilateral eye disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current respiratory condition, including COPD, asthma, bronchitis and pulmonary hypertension, is not related to his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected. The Board has remanded the remaining issues for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, respiratory disorder (COPD), hypertension, heart disorder, bilateral hearing loss, right eye disability, right leg disability, and bilateral foot disability. The Board found that there is no current diagnosis of these conditions and/or insufficient evidence to establish a link between them and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lung conditions are not related to his military service and have denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's renal cancer is presumed to be related to his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during service. His pulmonary disabilities are presumed to be related to his in-service exposure to fumes from mortar rounds.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to lack of substantial compliance with prior directives. The Veteran's claim is being returned to the AOJ for completion of the requested actions.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective February 15, 2011. The Board found that the evidence supported a higher rating of 70 percent for PTSD during the appeal period. For his lung disorder, the VA examiner opined it was less likely than not related to service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's respiratory disability, diagnosed as asthma and COPD, is not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking the condition to his military service or exposure to asbestos or herbicide. The Board found that there was no continuous or unremitting symptoms in service or since separation, and no medical nexus between current conditions and active service.

The Veteran's current lung disabilities, including chronic bronchitis and COPD, are found to be related to his active duty service due to exposure to construction dust. The Board finds that the Veteran's in-service symptoms of coughing, congestion, and upper respiratory infections are at least as likely as not related to his current diagnoses.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory disorders, including lung cancer, bronchial pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, and COPD, were not incurred in service. The appeal is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's lung cancer and COPD did not originate in service or within a year of service, and are not otherwise etiologically related to his active service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective from November 12, 2013. The Board granted a TDIU rating based on the service-connected PTSD.

The Board has merged the issues of service connection for COPD and upper respiratory infection into one issue. The Veteran's current respiratory conditions are being remanded to obtain a new VA examination to determine if they began in or are related to his active duty service, including as due to residuals of his in-service respiratory symptoms.