COPD Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and development due to inadequate previous VA examinations, as well as the need to determine if any of his claimed conditions are related to service in Southwest Asia.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination and further development due to incomplete information and evidence. The Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and asbestosis are pending.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for service connection for PTSD, as there is no credible evidence of an in-service stressor. The remaining issues on appeal were remanded and are currently pending.

The Veteran's COPD and lung cancer did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation, as his FEV-1 was between 56 to 70 percent predicted or FEV-1/FVC between 56 to 70 percent, which corresponds to a 10% disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's respiratory/lung disorders and whether they are related to Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's COPD is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine if it is secondary to his service-connected inactive pulmonary tuberculosis. His rating for the tuberculosis is also being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his in-service asbestos exposure and his later-developed lung cancer. The Board also noted that the Veteran had a history of tobacco use, which contributed to his lung cancer.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for the residuals of pneumonia is being remanded due to insufficient detail in the May 2017 VA medical examination report regarding his right lung abnormalities documented in his service treatment records.

The Board found that the Appellant's current COPD, acute respiratory disease, asthma, and bronchitis are not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to her military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted with an initial disability rating of 10 percent. Service connection for lymphoma due to ionizing radiation exposure is granted. Bilateral hearing loss is service connected and rated at 0 percent. COPD is not service connected. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is not service connected.

The Veteran's COPD was not related to service, and the Board denied this claim.,Service connection for herniated discs of the lumbar spine was granted. The Veteran is now rated at 50% for chronic migraines.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for COPD prior to December 20, 2004 was denied. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was reopened due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial. However, the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and loss of taste were both denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current respiratory disorders are not caused or aggravated by his active service, including his service-connected inactive pulmonary TB.

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

The Veteran's respiratory disorder, diagnosed as COPD and bronchitis, is related to service.,The Veteran's skin disorder, diagnosed as seborrheic keratosis, actinic keratosis, and SCC, is related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and bilateral foot disability are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for additional development.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current respiratory disorder, including COPD, is not causally related to or aggravated by his active service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding in favor of service connection.

The Veteran's chronic bronchitis and COPD do not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as his pulmonary function tests consistently fall within the range of moderate impairment.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through his authorized representative.