COPD Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a pulmonary disorder, including interstitial pulmonary fibrosis, bronchiectasis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), due to asbestos exposure is being remanded for additional development.

The Board found that the Veteran's coronary artery disease, COPD, and stroke residuals were not due to herbicide exposure or service.,Service connection was denied for all three conditions as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and chronic fatigue syndrome were denied. The Board also remanded the issue of entitlement to an effective date prior to March 25, 2013, for the grant of TDIU.

The Board found that the Veteran's COPD did not manifest in service and is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to an in-service event, injury or disease. As such, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension and special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance prior to May 6, 2015 was denied because his ex-wife's assets were considered part of the combined estate, making it unreasonable that some part of the corpus of such estates be consumed for the veteran's maintenance.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the pending service connection claims. The issues of service connection for various conditions are also being considered.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a respiratory examination. The issues of service connection for asthma/COPD and PTSD are also being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and generalized anxiety. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and his active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD as secondary to the service-connected asthma.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for COPD, carpal tunnel syndrome, peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral hearing loss are granted. The decision is based on the evidence showing a relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's asthma and COPD are rated at a maximum of 100 percent, effective from January 30, 2002.,His MDD with generalized anxiety disorder is rated at 70 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's COPD and pulmonary fibrosis are found to have had their onset in service, with the current conditions being related to his exposure to hazardous materials during military service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, leaving only the issues of entitlement to service connection for COPD and a skin disorder unresolved.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, claimed as asthma and COPD, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of her condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his COPD. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's service-connected asthma and COPD have been rated at 100 percent since June 22, 2005. The claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) has been granted due to the severity of these disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including COPD, right shoulder and hand disabilities, and hypertension, have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his inability to dress, feed himself, prepare meals, or bathe without assistance.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a pulmonary disorder related to his service, and therefore denies service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's COPD is not service-connected due to the lack of a link between his smoking history and the development of the condition, and there is no evidence of asbestos exposure. However, his COPD may be related to radiation exposure during military service.