COPD Board decisions

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

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for the removal of a catheter on April 20, 2015 at Auburn Medical Center are approved and paid by VA.

The Veteran's lung disability, including asbestosis and COPD, is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his respiratory disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have any service-connected disabilities for which he could be granted service connection. Specifically, there is no evidence of a current disability related to his military service.

The Board denied the claim as there was no evidence showing that any of the Veteran's service-connected conditions caused his death, and the medical opinions indicated that none of these conditions were related to service.

The Board found that the causes of death (acute hypoxemia, metastatic small cell carcinoma of the lung, and COPD emphysema) were not attributable to service. The Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic headaches and left temporal area burr holes were also determined not to be a principal or contributory cause of his death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, with the exception of a few issues. The Board found that the Veteran had current diagnoses and credible evidence supporting his reported stressors related to combat experience in Vietnam. Service connection was established for PTSD based on exposure to hostile military activity.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's COPD was first manifest during service and the Board granted service connection for COPD.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a heart disability and COPD, both presumed to be due to herbicide agent exposure in Vietnam, are granted.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have an additional disability as a result of VA treatment, including lung biopsies. The Veteran's respiratory disorders are unrelated to the 1998 lung biopsy.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for vertigo and is considering multiple other claims, including those related to sleep apnea, Peyronie's disease, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, liver condition, COPD, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and a chronic disability related to pre-diabetes and hyperglycemia. The Veteran has not met the criteria for service connection in all cases.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if COPD is related to service or sleep apnea. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated after this.

The Veteran's unspecified mood disorder is found to be related to active duty service, while his pulmonary disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for authorization of VA special mode transportation benefits is being remanded due to the need for further development, including a medical opinion regarding whether he needs specialized transportation.

The Veteran died in September 2000 due to COPD, CAD, Alzheimer's disease, and bullous pemphigus. The cause of death is not service-connected as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and development to address the nature, etiology, and severity of his service-connected conditions as well as any new or increased disabilities. The claims will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for CHF and COPD, including obtaining medical opinions regarding potential exposure to asbestos and ionizing radiation. The rating for bilateral hearing loss will also be remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is service-connected, but his Asbestosis was not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of his COPD and service connection claims.