COPD Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current respiratory disability, including as a result of asbestos exposure in service, is not related to his military service and has denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's statements were less than credible regarding his in-service hand injury and denied service connection for a right hand disability. The Board also found no evidence of a current back disability causally related to active service, attributing it to age. Finally, the Board concluded there was no evidence linking COPD to active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for a more current VA examination and review of outstanding treatment records. The case will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding his claimed ischemic heart disease and COPD. The VA examiner will need to determine the etiology of any diagnosed heart condition, including whether it is related to service-related chest pain in December 1977. For COPD, the VA examiner should reconcile the July 2012 VA examination opinion with Dr. G.'s opinions regarding pleural and lung scarring.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for asbestosis and secondary service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion on whether COPD is secondary to asbestosis.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent, effective February 26, 2010. The claim for COPD service connection is pending and not decided.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for a lung disorder, finding that new and material evidence had not been received. The Veteran submitted lay statements and VA/VA records, but these were deemed insufficient to meet the criteria for reopening the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his respiratory disabilities, including bronchial asthma and COPD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, to include as secondary to asbestos exposure and service-connected pleural plaques, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for asbestosis and COPD, finding that there is no current diagnosis of asbestosis and that COPD is not related to service or asbestos exposure.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD has been medically linked to a verified in-service stressor and fear of hostile military or terrorist activities, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a respiratory examination and medical opinions regarding the relationship between his service-connected asbestos pleural disease and any other diagnosed respiratory disabilities.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the service-connected asthma could have aggravated COPD.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain medical opinions addressing whether the Veteran's death was caused by an accidental overdose of pain medication, and if so, whether VA negligence or fault contributed to it. The appellant also raised a theory that service-connected back injuries may have contributed to her husband's post-service back condition.

The Board found that the cause of death, cardiorespiratory arrest due to pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, was not caused by or substantially contributed to by any condition incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's lung disorder, COPD, and smoke inhalation are not linked to his active service. The kidney disorder was also not linked to his service. Therefore, both claims for service connection were denied.

Service connection is granted for HTN and left hip degenerative changes, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.,No current disorder manifested by vertigo/dizziness was found. Service connection is denied for this condition.,Tension headaches are not related to service or exposure to toxins/undiagnosed illness. Service connection is denied.

The Board determined that the Veteran's hearing loss did not warrant a compensable rating, and denied his claims for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea and COPD.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting examinations for his claimed conditions.