COPD Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal involves claims for service connection for respiratory disabilities, including lung cancer and COPD, which he contends are related to his exposure to burn pits during military service. The VA has been directed to obtain updated treatment records and provide an opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection due to a lack of an addendum opinion from the physician who provided the October 2015 opinion regarding whether any diagnosed respiratory disorder is related to in-service asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD was reopened and granted. His bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, his PTSD with MDD is rated at 70% prior to June 15, 2010, and he is entitled to a TDIU rating prior to that date.

The Board found that the Veteran's lung disability (COPD) and heart condition were not incurred in service, as there is no evidence of a chronic disability for many years after service. The Board also noted that the current conditions are more likely related to post-service occupational exposures.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of pneumonia is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's substantive appeal was not timely filed in response to the April 2009 statement of the case, and thus denied his claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's COPD disability. The claim will be further developed and reviewed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his military service, including noise exposure. The claim for service connection for lung disease (claimed as COPD) is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, COPD, and CAD. The evidence did not establish direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing.

The Board found that the Veteran's COPD had not improved to a degree warranting a reduction from 100% to 30%, and thus restored his original 100% rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities and COPD, are not service-connected due to a lack of evidence showing a connection between these conditions and his active duty service.,Specifically, the August 2016 VA examiner opined that it was less likely than not that the Veteran's claimed conditions were related to his military service.

The Board has received notification from the appellant that they wish to withdraw their appeal, leading to its dismissal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current chronic respiratory disorder, to include COPD, that is related to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a chronic respiratory disorder, claimed as COPD, is denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his attorney, and the Board is dismissing the case.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is not attributable to his service, including exposure to asbestos. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for SMC based on the need for regular aid and assistance or housebound status due to lack of service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam and thus is not entitled to presumptive service connection for diabetes mellitus or COPD based on herbicide agent exposure. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied for lung disorder, liver disorder, tendonitis, bilateral hearing loss, and diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction. The Veteran's PTSD claim was granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions regarding his hypertension, coronary artery disease, Barrett's metaplasia, and lung condition.

The Veteran's pleural plaques are rated as noncompensable due to the presence of COPD, which is not service-connected. The Board found that the pleural plaques did not cause or worsen the COPD.