COPD decisions — 2017

The Board denied the reopening of a previously denied claim for service connection for COPD and denied entitlement to service connection for a left hand disorder. The evidence submitted did not meet the criteria for new and material evidence, and there was no indication that the Veteran's left hand condition was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current heart condition or diagnosed COPD and pneumonia, and thus denied service connection for residuals of blood poisoning.

The Veteran's lung disability, including bronchiectasis and COPD, is being remanded for additional development as the VA examiner did not address his service exposure to fumes and toxins.

The Board has found that the Veteran's COPD is aggravated by his service-connected inactive pulmonary tuberculosis, and therefore grants service connection for COPD based on this aggravation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development to verify his exposure to DDT during service and to obtain a medical opinion regarding the relationship between his current heart and respiratory disorders and his claimed in-service exposures.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic bronchitis and COPD is rated at 60 percent since October 8, 2014. The rating will remain at this level as the evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD due to asbestos exposure during service, resolving all reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability, diagnosed as onychomycosis of the toenails and tinea pedis with possible bacterial infection, is related to service.,The Veteran has a history of COPD that began in service and is related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and further development is needed.

The Veteran's COPD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes. The sinusitis issue has been withdrawn due to the Veteran's request.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, which is currently in effect due to exposure to asbestos or secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's hepatitis C was incurred in active service. The claims for liver failure, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are also remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, which includes symptoms such as flattened affect, panic attacks more than once a week, and difficulty in understanding complex commands, has been rated at 70 percent since February 1, 2011. The effective date for the increased rating is set to February 1, 2011.

The Veteran's non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is presumed to have been caused by exposure to contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune. The remaining conditions are being remanded for further examination and determination of service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral foot disability and respiratory disability are related to his exposure to carbon tetrachloride during service. The Veteran's current disabilities have been granted as secondary to this exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for a respiratory disability (COPD and chronic bronchitis) and a left knee disability. The effective date of the grant is not specified as it was determined that the Veteran's claims were pending since September 6, 2006.

The Board has determined that a higher initial rating of 60 percent for obstructive sleep apnea with COPD is warranted from July 21, 2011. Prior to this date, the Veteran's condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD and hypertension, finding that both conditions are related to the Veteran's military service. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities is rated at 20 percent from February 21, 2007 to January 11, 2017, and at 40 percent thereafter. His peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerves was rated at 20 percent prior to April 10, 2010, and at 40 percent thereafter. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to new service treatment records being received and because the Veteran requested a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues of entitlement to service connection for emphysema/COPD, higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss and adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood, and a TDIU from May 12, 2008 to December 8, 2010.