COPD Board decisions

The Board has determined that the cause of death, cardiopulmonary arrest due to an acute myocardial infarction with coronary artery disease, was not caused by or related to service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to address his respiratory and hearing loss claims. The TDIU claim will be deferred until these issues are resolved.

The Veteran's death was caused by cardiopulmonary arrest due to underlying congestive heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The Appellant contends that the Veteran's service-connected left foot disability significantly hindered his mobility, which ultimately predisposed or hastened the development of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of pneumonia, including COPD, finding that the current condition is not related to service.

The Veteran died of cardiomyopathy, with COPD as a significant contributing condition. The cause of death is not service-connected and there is no evidence linking the service-connected PTSD to his death or any other conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated as 50 percent disabling, and her COPD is rated at 10 percent prior to October 21, 2016. From that date, the rating for COPD has been increased to 30 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA respiratory examination and development of his asbestos exposure claim.

The Veteran's service connection claim for COPD is being remanded due to the need to obtain his personnel records, which may have been destroyed in a fire at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC).

The Board has determined that SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance for the Veteran's spouse is not warranted due to her functional capacity, which does not require personal assistance from others.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete medical opinions and consideration of additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate examination reports and incomplete consideration of the appellant's lung disability.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection for COPD and thyroid cancer, which were previously pending.

The Board has denied service connection for a respiratory disorder, but granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine and residuals of a recurring cyst or tumor on the right middle finger. The claim for service connection for low back disability remains pending as it was not addressed in this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bronchitis and COPD are not etiologically related to service, thus denying his claims for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical records and providing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal concerning the issue of entitlement to an increased rating for service-connected bronchitis/COPD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including an updated examination to assess the severity of his depressive disorder with anxiety and asthma/COPD. His TDIU claim prior to July 2009 remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO. The issues of entitlement to service connection for various conditions are on appeal.

The Veteran underwent two lung surgeries in September 2001 at a VA facility, but these surgeries did not result in additional lung disability.,VA medical records indicate that the surgeries were performed due to a left lower lobe lung nodule. The surgery revealed subcutaneous emphysema and COPD.

The Veteran's interstitial lung disease is service connected, but his asbestosis and COPD are not. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of current respiratory disabilities other than interstitial lung disease.