COPD Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board found that the Veteran's asbestosis is not more than noncompensable due to its being secondary to his service-connected COPD. The bilateral hearing loss was assigned a 10% rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Guillain-Barre syndrome, a lung disability secondary to asbestos exposure, and chronic myeloid leukemia secondary to radiation exposure. The evidence did not support a nexus between any of these conditions and his periods of active duty or National Guard service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical services at Northwest Texas Hospital were not reimbursable because a VA facility was feasibly available and an attempt to use them beforehand would have been reasonable.

The VA examiner found no objective medical evidence of asbestos exposure or related lung disease, and concluded that the Veteran's COPD and emphysema are less likely as not caused by his military service, including any alleged asbestos exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran's respiratory symptoms are attributable to known clinical diagnoses of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and/or asthma, which were not etiologically related to active service.

The Veteran submitted new evidence suggesting his lung cancer and COPD may be related to environmental exposure, particularly coral dust. The Board finds this sufficient to reopen the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claimed respiratory and neurological conditions are not service-connected as they were either pre-existing or not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is not related to his service, specifically his motor vehicle accident in February 1959. The VA physicians and a VA physician's assistant have provided opinions stating that it is less likely than not that the Veteran's COPD disability was related to his service.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that cellulitis, stroke with left hemiparesis and multi infarct dementia, congestive heart failure, coronary heart disease, diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and hypothyroidism were not present in service or related to service. The Board also found that the Veteran's service-connected stomach disorder (chronic enteritis) did not contribute to his death.

The Veteran's lung disorder, including COPD and pleural plaques, was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service. The VA examiner found no link between the current conditions and asbestos exposure during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a VA examination and medical opinion regarding his ability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities. The AMC must also confirm if there are any outstanding private or VA treatment records.

The Board found that neither bronchial asthma nor COPD was incurred in or aggravated by service, and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing due to his request, and the issue of service connection for COPD, emphysema, and cryptogenic pneumonia, to include as secondary to Agent Orange exposure, remains pending.

The Board granted an initial 30 percent rating for COPD, effective December 28, 2004.

The Veteran's lung disorder, including COPD, bronchiectasis, and asthma, was not incurred in active service and is not otherwise related to active duty. Bronchiectasis may not be presumed to have been incurred therein.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain medical opinions regarding the Veteran's lung disorders and their relationship to his military service, specifically asbestos exposure. The appeal is currently in remand status.

The Board found that the Veteran's chronic pulmonary disability, including bronchiectasis and COPD, was not incurred or aggravated during active service. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service aggravation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD and chronic bronchitis has been granted. The VA examiner found that the Veteran currently has chronic bronchitis, which is related to his military service.