COPD decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for COPD has been dismissed due to his death prior to a final decision.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the preponderance of evidence does not support any other theory of entitlement.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and clarification regarding the Veteran's respiratory disorders, including whether he suffers from asbestosis or an asbestos-related disability. The VA will schedule a medical examination to determine the etiology of his current respiratory disorders and assess if any are related to service.

The Board denied entitlement to service connection for cause of death, finding that the Veteran's COPD was not a service-connected disability at the time of his death and did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory condition, including histoplasmosis, PHB, partial right lung removal, and COPD, is granted. The VA has ordered an examination to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea may be related to his COPD, but more evidence is needed to determine if it had its onset during service or was aggravated by COPD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for COPD, esophageal cancer, and a psychiatric disorder due to in-service asbestos exposure. The claims are also remanded for stressor development and an examination.

The Board has denied service connection for sleep apnea and a sleep disorder other than sleep apnea, as there is no evidence of such conditions during or related to active duty. The Veteran's claims for sinus and respiratory disorders are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding potential exposure to toxins.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The remaining issues are related to back injury residuals, COPD, erectile dysfunction, chloracne, skin cancer, and neuropathies of the hands and extremities.

The Veteran's cause of death was listed as non-ischemic cardiomyopathy, with diabetes mellitus contributing to the cause. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an opinion regarding whether the Veteran’s service-connected diabetes mellitus contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The Veteran's asbestosis is granted service connection, but his COPD and emphysema are denied service connection. The Board found that the Veteran has current asbestosis related to in-service asbestos exposure, but not COPD or emphysema.

The appeals for service connection of a back disorder, COPD, and increased ratings for chronic prostatitis have been dismissed. The abdominal disorder and precancerous lesions are denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to asbestos, lead paint and other chemicals during service. The Veteran will need to provide VA treatment records and complete a VA Form 21-4142 for all private treatment providers for his claimed respiratory condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, sleep apnea, and dental disability (broken teeth) were denied. The rating reduction from 20 percent to 10 percent for right shoulder strain with tendonitis and degenerative joint disease was granted. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD, major depressive disorder, and alcohol abuse is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, Asthma, and Chronic Bronchitis as they are not related to service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has denied service connection for right wrist disorder, unhealed left eye injury, unhealed right eye injury, COPD, and broken jaw residuals as these conditions are not shown to be related to active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected asbestosis has been rated at 30 percent, which is the highest initial rating available under VA regulations. The decision also notes that his COPD is not service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, including as due to undiagnosed illness, is denied. The issue of entitlement to service connection for hiatal hernia is remanded.

The appeal for asthma is dismissed. The COPD claim has been remanded.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than January 23, 2013 for the grants of service connection for PTSD, tinnitus, residuals of a right foot injury (claimed as residuals of a right foot fracture), and chronic diarrhea (claimed as IBS) have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for CFS has been denied.