COPD Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings, service connection, and benefits related to various conditions. The case is being remanded due to the need for additional development of Social Security Administration records.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for service connection for respiratory disease (claimed as COPD and asthma) and sleep disorder (claimed as sleep apnea). The Board does not have jurisdiction to consider these claims.

The Veteran's asthma has been evaluated at a 30 percent rating since October 2009. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD and restrictive lung disease are related to his in-service asbestos exposure, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD as it is not shown to have been incurred or aggravated during his military service, and there is no evidence that it resulted from exposure to herbicides. The Veteran's tobacco use is considered a factor in determining the cause of his COPD.

The Board finds that the Veteran's lung disorder, including residuals of adenocarcinoma and COPD, is related to in-service asbestos exposure and grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a follow-up opinion regarding the Veteran's respiratory disorder.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The claims for service connection and TDIU have become moot.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion to reconcile conflicting opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's respiratory disorder. The claim is now pending again.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus. The remaining issues of bilateral hearing loss, residuals of a head injury, residuals of a right eye injury, and lung disability (claimed as COPD) are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for issuance of an SOC regarding his request to reopen a claim for service connection for high cholesterol, and scheduling of his hearing.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development, including obtaining clarification and opinions from a VA examiner regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Veteran seeks service connection for obstructive lung disorder, including bronchial asthma and COPD. The Board finds that remand is necessary to address whether the Veteran's COPD was first manifested in service or is otherwise related to service, including his intermittent asthma attacks during service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's COPD is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected TB, and therefore grants service connection for COPD on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's service-connected nasal pharyngitis with allergic rhinitis and sinusitis has resulted in episodes of sinusitis requiring antibiotic treatment, but not radical surgery or repeated surgeries. His COPD and asthma are aggravated by his service-connected nasal condition. The Veteran is entitled to an increased evaluation for his nasal condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's gout, bilateral knee arthritis (including gout), and mild obstructive pulmonary disease including COPD are not service-connected.,There is no evidence of any chronic symptoms or diagnoses related to these conditions during active service. The disabilities were first manifested many years after separation from service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, congestive heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, and diabetes mellitus as there was no evidence of these conditions in service or within one year post-service. The Veteran's income exceeded the limit for receiving nonservice-connected pension.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issue of entitlement to service connection for a respiratory disability, including COPD. The remaining issues are being remanded for further development and readjudication.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis, hypertension, COPD, and diabetes mellitus as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, coronary artery disease, and hypercholesterolemia due to in-service tobacco use. The claim for cervical spine disability was reopened but not granted.