COPD Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's COPD is not related to his service, specifically due to his extensive smoking history. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that his current condition is linked to exposure to chemicals and/or asbestos during service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's COPD is not caused or chronically worsened by his service-connected asbestosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was not incurred in or related to service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's lung cancer and COPD were not due to service or exposure to herbicides, and therefore denied for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory disorders, including COPD, emphysema, and sinusitis, are not related to service on a direct basis due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his in-service asbestos exposure. The VA examiner opined that the current diagnoses are less likely caused by or a result of asbestos exposure.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's current respiratory disability, including COPD and asthma, is etiologically related to his active duty service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a respiratory disability is granted.

The Veteran's COPD and bronchiectasis were rated at 100% from September 3, 2015. The Board found that the Veteran was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities since October 31, 2006.

The Veteran's pleural plaques have been manifested by FVC (Forced Vital Capacity) of greater than 80 percent of predicted value, and DLCO (SB) (Diffusion Capacity of the Lung for Carbon Monoxide by the Single Breath Method) of greater than 80 percent of predicted value. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under DC 6825.,The Veteran's COPD has been manifested without maximum exercise capacity equal to or less than 20 ml/kg/min of oxygen consumption, cor pulmonale, right ventricular hypertrophy, pulmonary hypertension, one or more episodes of acute respiratory failure, or the requirement for outpatient oxygen therapy.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a Travel Board hearing at the RO. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a lung disorder, including COPD, remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current respiratory disability and acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of their onset or worsening during her military service. The VA examiners have provided opinions against these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and providing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the etiology of the Veteran's respiratory disorders.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss, tinnitus, a chronic sinus disorder, or COPD during service. The Veteran's current conditions are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his military service. The remaining claims of service connection for respiratory and psychiatric conditions have been remanded.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether COPD is related to asbestos exposure during service, and thus grants service connection for COPD.

The Veteran's cause of death was not caused or contributed to by any service-connected disability, including discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE). The VA examiner found that DLE did not contribute to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal prior to a decision being made.

The Board found that the Veteran's COPD and throat cancer are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a connection between these conditions and his military service, including exposure to ionizing radiation. The VA determined there was no reasonable possibility that the disabilities resulted from such exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing at the RO in Baltimore, Maryland.

The Veteran's service-connected COPD and chronic bronchitis with residual bronchial asthma prior to January 15, 2016 did not meet the criteria for a schedular rating in excess of 30 percent. The Board also found that he was able to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the onset and relationship of his current respiratory conditions to active duty.