COPD decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and sleep apnea (to include as secondary to COPD) need further clarification due to inadequate medical opinions. The case is being remanded to obtain new opinions from VA clinicians.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD, finding that the Veteran's exposure to asbestos during active duty is etiologically related to his current respiratory disability.

The Veteran's COPD with OSA was granted a 60 percent rating from the date of service connection, December 11, 2012. The evidence did not show more severe respiratory symptomatology prior to November 19, 2015.

The Board denied service connection for COPD and an initial rating in excess of 30% for CAD, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the conditions and service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, as well as COPD, are denied. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or presumed exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for emphysema, COPD, and a skin condition due to herbicide agent exposure. The Veteran's service records need to be verified, including his duty assignments and potential herbicide agent exposure. If confirmed, an opinion will be sought regarding whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for COPD, emphysema, and bilateral hearing loss were denied. The claim for COPD was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to July 1, 2018, was reduced from 60% to 0%. The service connection claims for emphysema and COPD remain denied.

The Board denied service connection for neck disability, COPD, and hypertension. The claims were based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's COPD was initially rated noncompensable prior to July 21, 2017. Since then, the condition has been rated at 100 percent since that date.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, finding no causal relationship between the Veteran's current condition and his military service. The claim was dismissed as there was insufficient evidence to establish a nexus.

The Veteran's service-connected histoplasmosis rating was restored to 30 percent effective December 1, 2016. The increased rating claim for COPD and interstitial lung disease is granted.,Service connection for COPD and interstitial lung disease due to in-service exposure to asbestos and second-hand smoke is established.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability, respiratory disability (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and obstructive sleep apnea), hypertension, hemorrhoids, and bilateral intention tremor of hands have been denied.,The Veteran's respiratory disability was granted an initial non-compensable rating from December 15, 2015 onwards.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for COPD and asbestosis, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including reopening service connection for allergic rhinitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, determining a rating for low back disability, and examining the etiology of sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's respiratory conditions, specifically COPD and sarcoidosis. The claim is being returned for a new VA examination with a pulmonologist.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine disability, COPD, headaches, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression), and broken jaw residuals due to incomplete service treatment records and missing VA medical records. The Board also requested SSA disability benefits records.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings on his service-connected lumbar spine condition, bilateral knee conditions, and pes planus was dismissed as he withdrew the claim. The appeals for tingling and numbness in the right shoulder and a respiratory disorder were remanded.

The Veteran's appeals regarding increased ratings for left knee degenerative joint disease and COPD have been dismissed. Service connection has been granted for left foot, right foot, and restless leg syndrome.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's post-service respiratory conditions, including bronchiectasis and COPD, are related to his service due to severe pneumonia he experienced in Germany. As a result, service connection for these disabilities is granted.

The Board has decided that the VA medical opinions are inadequate and requires additional evaluations to determine if the Veteran's COPD and cardiomyopathy are secondary to his service-connected right lobectomy, secondary to empyema.