COPD Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including COPD and asthma, is being remanded due to the need for clarification on whether his current conditions are related to his active service or if they preexisted service.

The Veteran's lung disability and squamous cell carcinoma were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the current diagnoses and military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, hay fever or allergic rhinitis, and COPD or asthma, were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected right spontaneous pneumothorax, status post right thoracotomy with resection of pleural blebs and pleural ablation with mild COPD is rated at 10 percent. The most recent VA examination did not provide a DLCO (SB) value, which is necessary to determine if the Veteran meets criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased disability ratings, finding that his claimed conditions were not established as incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for COPD. The Veteran's current diagnosis of COPD is not related to his in-service exposure to asbestos, as there was no evidence of respiratory complaints or a diagnosis during service. The Board concluded that the etiology of the Veteran's COPD is too complex an issue to be determined by lay opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD was denied because there is no medical evidence linking the condition to his military service. The Board found that the Veteran's current COPD is more likely related to occupational asbestos exposure and tobacco abuse following his military service.

The Veteran's respiratory condition, including asthma and bronchitis, is being remanded for further examination to determine its etiology. The claim will also be reviewed in light of the presumption of exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The Veteran's lung disability, including COPD and emphysema, is not service-connected due to a lack of evidence linking the condition to asbestos exposure during service.

The Veteran's cause of death was attributed to his nicotine dependence and COPD, which were service-connected. The Board found that the tobacco use during service did not preclude service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's COPD and pleural plaques consistent with asbestosis are currently rated at 10 percent, effective September 19, 2005. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding no evidence of asbestos exposure in service and concluding that his current COPD is not related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for COPD and denied increased ratings for the scar as a residual of left pneumothorax. The Veteran's COPD was found to be due to post-service asbestos exposure, but not related to his in-service left pneumothorax or any other service-connected condition.

The Board found no evidence of mustard gas or asbestos exposure during service, and the Veteran's current foot disorder and COPD/emphysema are not related to his active duty service. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a clarifying medical opinion regarding the combined effect of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding chemical exposure and PTSD stressors.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, including whether they are related to service. The Veteran will be scheduled for examinations to address these issues.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a respiratory disability, including asthma. The case is being remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for further examination.

The VA denied the claim for service connection for pulmonary/respiratory disability, including asbestosis, due to in-service asbestos exposure. The VA found that there was no objective evidence of asbestos exposure during ACDUTRA and that the appellant's diagnosed interstitial fibrotic changes are not related to his in-service asbestos exposure.