COPD Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected COPD, which is presumed to have been caused by herbicide exposure in Vietnam. As such, the cause of the Veteran's death is now considered service connected.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a pulmonary disorder, including COPD due to asbestos exposure, is being remanded for additional development of his VA treatment records and an opinion from a VA examiner regarding the onset and relationship of his current pulmonary disorders to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or any other psychiatric disorder other than paranoid schizophrenia. The Veteran's pulmonary disorder was not manifest in service and is not otherwise etiologically related to such service. The Veteran's skin disorder to include dermatitis was not manifest in service and is not otherwise etiologically related to such service.

The Veteran's current respiratory conditions, including asthma and COPD, are not shown to be related to his military service. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that his current respiratory condition is related to service.

The Veteran has withdrawn all issues on appeal, including the reopening of a skin disorder claim and service connection claims for various disabilities due to herbicide exposure. The Board is dismissing the appeal.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection of CFS, COPD, and Fibromyalgia. The VA examinations and opinions have concluded that these conditions are not related to her military service.,There was no mention or diagnosis of any of these conditions in her STRs, and they were first diagnosed many years after separation from active duty.

The Veteran's death was not caused by service-connected disabilities, and the Appellant did not have a pending claim at the time of his death. The accrued benefits claim is denied as untimely filed.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, diverticulitis, and a low back disability. The claim for COPD was denied as there is no evidence that it manifested during service or is related to service. Service connection was also denied for shoulder DJD due to lack of in-service injury.

The Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's service connection claim for breathing problems is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and an addendum opinion from the December 2016 examiner. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's respiratory disorders, specifically his current diagnoses of COPD, chronic bronchitis, asthma, and allergic rhinitis. The examiner is asked to address whether these conditions are at least as likely as not related to service exposure to asbestos.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for COPD, varicose vein disorder, and memory loss disorder. The claim for acquired psychiatric disorder is granted.

The Veteran's respiratory condition, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, is being remanded for further examination to determine if it is related to his presumed exposure to herbicides during service.

The Veteran's asthma and COPD were denied service connection, while his headaches prior to March 20, 2015 were granted a 50% rating.

The Board found no evidence of a currently diagnosed lung disorder, asbestosis, emphysema, or chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) that was first manifested during active duty or is shown to be etiologically related to any injury or event in service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a lung disorder secondary to asbestos exposure was denied.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection for right thoracic outlet syndrome, COPD secondary to a pulmonary embolism, and an increased rating for left thoracic outlet syndrome with history of subclavian vein thrombosis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a personal hearing before a Veterans Law Judge. The issues include reopening claims for various conditions, but the status of some claims and service connection theory are unknown.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and the cause of his death (respiratory failure due to pneumonia) is not linked to his military service. The Veteran did not require aid and attendance solely due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's lung disability, including emphysema and COPD, was not incurred during service and is not attributable to service.