COPD decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the claims for a VA examination and further review due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including shortness of breath and COPD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory disability is not currently service-connected, but may be due to undiagnosed illness or chronic multisymptom illness related to his military service. The case is being remanded for further examination and review of records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development and lack of consideration of certain factors related to herbicide exposure and service connection for cause of death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding service treatment records from his time in the Alabama Army National Guard.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including COPD, is remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding the existence of a current respiratory condition and its relation to in-service asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's service connection claim for COPD is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that his current condition began during service or is related to an in-service injury, event, or disease. The VA examiner concluded that the COPD is more likely due to the Veteran's smoking history rather than asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic respiratory disease, including COPD, was denied. The claim for benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for residuals of lumbosacral surgery was also denied.

The Veteran's COPD with pulmonary histoplasmosis prior to March 13, 2018 did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent based on lung function tests.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, COPD, acne, residuals of sebaceous cyst removal, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities as related to Agent Orange exposure due to a lack of medical opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his PTSD, and the claim for COPD due to Agent Orange exposure is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, finding that the Veteran's COPD is not related to his military service and was more likely caused by smoking cigarettes.

The Veteran's respiratory disorder (COPD) was denied service connection as it is not shown to have been present in service or for many years thereafter, nor is it related to service.,Service connection granted for irritable bowel syndrome with a diagnosis date of 2010.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1318, finding that the Veteran's death was not related to his service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a finding of service connection for the Veteran's lung disability, including asbestosis, COPD, and ILD. The preponderance of the evidence does not establish a nexus between these conditions and his active military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an initial rating greater than 60 percent for CAD. The Veteran's back/neck condition, COPD, and erectile dysfunction were also remanded for further development.,The Veteran was not provided with a VA examination prior to his death to assess the existence and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as secondary to service-connected sinusitis. Service connection for asthma, GERD, urticaria of the upper and lower extremities, and COPD are denied.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, asthma (claimed as chronic cough), and sleep apnea. The evidence did not establish a direct link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service or any environmental exposures.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and sleep apnea due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions. The Veteran's service in Saudi Arabia is also unclear, and his complete service personnel records need to be obtained.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and an initial rating higher than 30 percent for PTSD are being remanded due to incomplete records. The AOJ is instructed to obtain private medical records from the Veteran's pulmonologist and psychologist.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, but denied service connection for COPD, hypertension, headaches, and heart disability.