COPD Board decisions

The Board found no competent evidence linking the cause of the Veteran's death to his service or any service-connected disability, and therefore denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection, finding that his chronic maxillary sinusitis alone does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board finds that the appellant's symptoms of chest pain and shortness of breath, similar to those experienced during a 1989 heart attack, were severe enough to warrant immediate medical attention. The closest VA facility was 80 miles away, making it infeasible for him to reach within a reasonable time frame. Therefore, the Board grants payment or reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Cumberland Medical Center on May 27, 2008.

The Veteran seeks TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities. The case is being remanded for further examination and consideration of the combined effect of all service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia, and COPD as due to an undiagnosed illness during service. The Veteran's claims were not addressed in terms of presumptive service connection under the Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses presumption.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking any diagnosed respiratory condition to his in-service spontaneous pneumothorax or to either his grandiose type delusional disorder and/or diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's cardiorespiratory failure, due to hypertension, seizure, anticoagulation, and heart disease, was not shown to have manifested during service or for many years thereafter, and were not otherwise shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected COPD associated with asbestos exposure is found to be so severe that it prevents him from securing and following any substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, to include as due to herbicide exposure and/or smoking was denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence or aggravation of an injury or disease related to the claimed conditions. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated at 30 percent disabling throughout the appeal period. The Veteran is not entitled to TDIU benefits as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and COPD are found to be aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, warranting service connection for these conditions.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's sleep apnea and COPD due to their aggravation by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board finds that the Veteran's chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is likely due to his service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that polycythemia vera and COPD were not incurred or aggravated by service, nor are they related to a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a right knee disability, respiratory disorder (COPD), small bowel resection residuals, and hearing loss. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities related to these issues that were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has ordered the claims to be remanded for additional development and readjudication, including a VA examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for COPD, claimed as the result of asbestos exposure, was denied because there is no competent medical evidence showing a current diagnosis or persistent symptoms of COPD. The Board found that VA had not met its duty to provide an examination due to lack of sufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a back disability. The case is remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's dental disability, coronary artery disease, COPD, and gall bladder disease.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder other than bronchitis, including asbestosis and COPD, is remanded due to the need for further development. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, claimed as due to asbestos exposure during service, is being remanded for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and SSA disability determination records. A new VA examination will be scheduled to determine the current severity of PTSD and any pulmonary disorder due to herbicide exposure.