COPD decisions — 2018

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and he is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities. The rating for PTSD remains unchanged, but the Veteran is now eligible for a TDIU due to his overall disability picture.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current respiratory disorders are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of service connection for various conditions, including right eye retina disability, bilateral hearing loss, COPD, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, constipation, PTSD, GERD, ED, and prostate failure. The Veteran's service in Vietnam is conceded, and he contends his conditions are related to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability and respiratory disability, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims. The Board also noted that the Veteran's current respiratory disability is not related to asbestos exposure or his back disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, obstructive sleep apnea, and cirrhosis of the liver due to insufficient evidence. The claims are not currently decided on service connection grounds.

The Board has denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren’s disease, scleroderma, and a respiratory disorder (COPD) as the evidence does not support a nexus between these conditions and active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome and interstitial lung disease with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran reported a back injury during service, but his opinions are not supported by sufficient rationale or supporting documentation.

The Veteran's cause of death was metastatic adenocarcinoma, with COPD and pulmonary veno occlusive listed as other significant conditions. The Board found the evidence did not support a finding that service connection should be granted for his cause of death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bronchiectasis and respiratory disorders is granted, with the condition being reopened due to new evidence. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that it was not caused by military service or lung cancer and more likely due to his history of heavy tobacco use.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and he did not meet the criteria for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and/or anxiety disorder) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives and a need for another VA examination.

The Veteran's cause of death (COPD and hypertension) was not service-connected, as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of a 10-year duration or continuous five-year period of total disability rating.

The Board denied service connection for a lung disability, including COPD and lung cancer, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a relationship to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lung condition, COPD, and scarring of the lungs due to pneumonia. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine condition, left ankle condition, bilateral pes planus, and COPD. The Veteran's right foot hallux valgus was granted a compensable rating of 10%.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating.,The Veteran's service connection claims for left arm condition, COPD, bilateral lung nodules, left thyroid mass, and carpal tunnel syndrome of the left hand are pending as they require verification of herbicide agent exposure during service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claim of service connection for a lung condition, but has remanded the case to obtain an opinion regarding whether his diagnosed COPD and emphysema are related to service exposure to asbestos.

The Veteran's lung disability (COPD) is remanded for further development, including obtaining service treatment records from his second period of active duty and a VA opinion on the etiology of his condition. The issue of service connection will be decided de novo.