COPD Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of diabetes, heart disability, or respiratory disabilities. The claim for throat cancer is denied as there is no evidence linking it to service.

The Board has determined that there is no medical evidence linking the Veteran's current respiratory disorders, including asbestosis and COPD, to his period of active service. As such, the claim for service connection is denied.

The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's current COPD is related to service, including in-service asbestos exposure or cigarette smoking.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if the Veteran's current pulmonary disabilities are related to his service. The case is therefore being remanded for additional examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, including as due to asbestos exposure and jet fumes during service, is being remanded for additional development.

The Board dismissed the appeal for a higher initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD prior to May 6, 2014. The Veteran withdrew his appeal and was satisfied with the current 50 percent rating assigned since May 6, 2014.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and requesting a VA examination to address whether COPD is related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's death was caused by respiratory failure due to COPD, which is etiologically related to his in-service chronic respiratory disorders. The Board finds that the appellant is entitled to service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and therefore DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1310 are granted.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, degenerative joint disease of the right knee, and status post total left knee replacement were denied due to lack of a nexus between service and current disability. The claim for IHD was not addressed as it is not part of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on secondary to herbicide exposure has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural issues related to the reduction in disability rating from 30% to noncompensable for asbestosis with COPD. The Veteran was not provided proper consideration of the relevant regulations governing rating reductions.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic bronchitis and COPD do not warrant a compensable rating, and his TDIU claim is denied as he does not meet the criteria for individual unemployability.

The Veteran's COPD/emphysema with a history of right spontaneous hemopneumothorax, status post right lobe lobectomy has been rated at 30 percent since the entire appeal period. The Board found that his FEV-1/FVC ratio was between 56 to 70 percent of the predicted value.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and a pulmonary disorder, to include as due to herbicide exposure, have been denied. The Board also found that the Veteran is not entitled to a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory disease, including emphysema and COPD, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions and records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is for an increased disability rating for his stomach condition. He also has service connection claims for other conditions and seeks secondary service connection for erectile dysfunction.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, including asthma and COPD, finding that his statements regarding active duty were not credible. The Board concluded that there is no evidence linking his current respiratory disabilities to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for COPD service connection was withdrawn. For PTSD, the Board denied a rating in excess of 50 percent prior to April 30, 2012 and a rating in excess of 30 percent thereafter.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional evidentiary development, including a VA SMP aid and attendance/housebound examination. The Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound will be assessed based on his current disabilities.