COPD Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for asthma, COPD, and right hip tendonitis as they are not related to his service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of pulmonary tuberculosis and COPD have been granted a 60 percent disability rating effective March 26, 2013. The initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been maintained prior to March 26, 2013, and the higher initial rating from that date onwards is also granted. Service connection for heart disabilities secondary to residuals of pulmonary tuberculosis is established.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of COPD is related to his service, and he is granted service connection for a pulmonary disability. The rating assigned for hemorrhoids remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD was denied in a previous Board decision. The VA has now reopened the claim based on new evidence, but the issue of whether his current lung condition is related to his in-service collapsed lungs and surgery remains unresolved.

The Board has remanded the case for further adjudication due to a need to obtain additional medical records and conduct other appropriate development.

The Veteran's service treatment records are largely unavailable, but the evidence does not support a finding that his current respiratory disorder or COPD is related to his in-service lung surgery and exposure. The Board finds no nexus between the claimed disability and service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an upper respiratory disability, to include COPD, and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining a medical opinion on the etiology of his disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis and COPD are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records from Rock Island Army Arsenal and SSA records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the claims of service connection for various disabilities, including a low back disability, respiratory disorders, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral hand disabilities. The VA will obtain medical records, provide new examinations, and consider the Veteran's complaints and history in determining the etiology of his conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing. The issues of service connection and TDIU are not addressed in the decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, including COPD, is being remanded due to the need to obtain private treatment records and provide clarification on the nature of his lung condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been shown to prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lung disorder and bilateral hearing loss disability, and has determined that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's physical impairment due to his nonservice-connected conditions requires care or assistance on a regular basis to protect himself from the hazards of daily environment, and the Board has determined that he meets the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, chronic bronchitis, and COPD due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to technical difficulties with the hearing transcript. The Veteran will be scheduled for a new videoconference Board hearing.

The Board has granted service connection for a pulmonary disorder, to include COPD, sleep apnea, bronchitis, and asthma, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his in-service exposure to jet fuel.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete medical history and inadequate opinions regarding lung and heart disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for asthma and COPD with history of pneumonia and bronchitis was denied. The Board found that the earliest possible effective date is February 13, 2001 when he filed his initial claim.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of asbestosis or any other lung disorder related to his active duty service, including asbestos exposure. The evidence did not support a diagnosis of asbestosis and indicated that it was due to post-service occupational exposure.