COPD Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, ankle disorders, knee disorders, hip disorders, and psychiatric and gastrointestinal issues, were denied as there is no competent evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been caused by herbicide exposure. His skin disorder, glaucoma, lung disorder (COPD and interstitial lung disease), and sinusitis are not among the listed diseases eligible for presumptive service connection due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain the Veteran's private treatment records and to provide an examination for respiratory disability, including COPD. The claim will be readjudicated following these actions.

The Veteran's asthma and emphysema/COPD were not found to be service-connected due to lack of in-service diagnosis or exposure, and the current conditions are not considered chronic.

The Veteran's diabetes, heart failure, hypertension, and COPD are being remanded for further examination to determine their etiology. The appeal is based on presumed exposure to herbicides in the Pinal Mountains near Globe, Arizona.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD and heart disorder are not service-connected, as they are either not causally related to his military service or were aggravated by his service-connected asbestosis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory disorder, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, was not incurred or aggravated during service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea, hypertension, COPD, and headache disorder are not service-connected as they did not develop during his military service or are otherwise related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lung disorder, diagnosed as COPD, is not related to his in-service asbestos exposure and therefore denied service connection for a lung disorder.

The Veteran's OSA is found to be secondary to his service-connected COPD. The initial rating for bipolar disorder has been granted at 30 percent, and the residuals of right pleuritis and right basal pneumonia with COPD have also received a 30 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder and lung disorder (COPD) are not service-connected. The low back disorder is denied due to lack of in-service injury or disease, while the lung disorder is denied as not related to asbestos exposure during service.

The Board found that the Veteran's respiratory disability did not have its onset during active duty service and is not otherwise related to such service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in writing prior to the Board's decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for malaria, COPD, and prostate disability. The claim for service connection for malaria was denied as there is no evidence of current residuals. For COPD, the VA examiner found it less likely than not related to service. Regarding the prostate disability, new evidence has been submitted but the Board still found insufficient evidence to establish a direct relationship with service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, pulmonary disorder including pneumonia and COPD, and gastrointestinal disorder including peptic ulcer disease. The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for tonsillectomy remains pending.

The Veteran's COPD claim is granted, but his increased rating for chronic respiratory distress remains denied.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's in-service noise exposure likely caused his current condition. The issues of asthma and COPD due to asbestos exposure are remanded for further development.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examiner to provide opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's COPD and emphysema, as well as their relationship to service.

The Veteran's respiratory disorders (COPD and asthma) are not related to his active service, as they are more likely due to his history of smoking.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to his active service.