COPD Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a pulmonary disability, including COPD and emphysema, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his VA treatment records.

The Veteran's cause of death was attributed to acute cardio-pulmonary failure, dementia, COPD, Parkinson's disease, and anemia. The Board found that the service-connected PTSD did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Veteran's lung disability, diagnosed as COPD, was not incurred in or related to service. The Board found the evidence against a nexus between COPD and service.

The Board found that the Veteran's respiratory conditions are not related to his service, including exposure to hazardous chemicals. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that any current respiratory disorders are due to in-service events or exposures.

The Veteran's COPD is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination and the provision of his VA treatment records. The issue will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, DM, erectile dysfunction, and bilateral hand neuropathy. The VA examiner found that the Veteran did not have COPD or DM during his active duty service and that any current diagnoses are more likely due to post-service factors.

The Veteran's death was related to his service-connected conditions, but the appeal is being remanded for further consideration of his pending claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lung disability, finding that his COPD and emphysema are not related to service or service-connected lung cancer.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current respiratory disabilities, including COPD with emphysema and OSA with hypoxemia, are not related to his service or exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange). The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, which is secondary to frostbite and rated as 20 percent disabling in each extremity, contributed substantially or materially to the Veteran's death. As such, the claim for service connection for cause of death is granted.

The Board found no causal connection between the Veteran's death and any hospital care, medical or surgical treatment provided by VA. The evidence does not support a finding of fault on VA's part.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to address his claims for PTSD and COPD.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for asbestos-related pleural disease was denied, as the current level of disability does not warrant a higher rating under the applicable schedular criteria.

The Board denied the reopening of a previously denied claim for service connection for COPD and denied entitlement to service connection for a left hand disorder. The evidence submitted did not meet the criteria for new and material evidence, and there was no indication that the Veteran's left hand condition was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current heart condition or diagnosed COPD and pneumonia, and thus denied service connection for residuals of blood poisoning.

The Veteran's lung disability, including bronchiectasis and COPD, is being remanded for additional development as the VA examiner did not address his service exposure to fumes and toxins.

The Board has found that the Veteran's COPD is aggravated by his service-connected inactive pulmonary tuberculosis, and therefore grants service connection for COPD based on this aggravation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development to verify his exposure to DDT during service and to obtain a medical opinion regarding the relationship between his current heart and respiratory disorders and his claimed in-service exposures.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic bronchitis and COPD is rated at 60 percent since October 8, 2014. The rating will remain at this level as the evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD due to asbestos exposure during service, resolving all reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.