COPD decisions — 2018

The Veteran withdrew their appeal before the Board could make a decision. As a result, the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and heart disease, to include as secondary to COPD, are denied. The Board found that the current disabilities were not incurred in or caused by his active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD and obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected depressive disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected COPD, including scarring of the lungs and resolved bronchitis and pneumonia, is granted with a 60% disability rating from June 16, 2009 to November 29, 2016. The effective date for this grant remains at June 16, 2009.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the relationship between the Veteran's current emphysema and COPD and his service, specifically exposure to phosgene. The VA examiner will need to provide a comprehensive opinion addressing all relevant evidence.

The Board has dismissed all claims as the Veteran died before a decision could be made.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause of the Veteran's death and his COPD, which may be related to service. The VA must obtain medical opinions on these issues.

The Veteran's COPD is found to be related to his service as a welder, and the Board grants service connection for COPD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, heart disability secondary to COPD, and pulmonary hypertension are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of his exposure history.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, respiratory disorder to include COPD, asthma and pneumonia, thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease with intervertebral disc syndrome, and right lower extremity radiculopathy are denied. The case is remanded for further development.

The appeal for service connection of a right knee disability and COPD associated with asbestos exposure is dismissed. Service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, respiratory disability, bilateral pes planus, hypertension, and acquired psychiatric disability due to incomplete records and the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's breathing condition, including sleep apnea and COPD, is remanded for a new medical opinion to determine if these conditions are related to his service in Southwest Asia.

The Board has decided that more evidence is needed to determine if the Veteran's COPD was caused by asbestos exposure during service, and thus remands the case for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 50% rating, effective July 20, 2016. The claim for service connection of the respiratory disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his service-connected conditions, as well as his claims of exposure to chemicals during service. The appeals are also remanded for obtaining updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed as withdrawn or moot. The motion alleging clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the November 1971 rating decision has been granted, resulting in an effective date of June 18, 1971, for the grant of service connection for post-operative residual scarring associated with lung biopsy.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a right shoulder disorder, respiratory disorder, and right elbow disability due to additional evidence being needed. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his right shoulder disorder as secondary to his right elbow disability and for his respiratory disorder allegedly caused by asbestos exposure during service. He also seeks an increased rating for his right elbow disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for emphysema, COPD, and hypertension have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The Board has granted these claims.,Service connection is also granted for sleep apnea as secondary to a service-connected mood disorder, and Barrett’s esophagus is denied.

The Veteran's service connection for residuals of a stroke is granted. Ratings are granted for instability and arthritis in the right knee, as well as increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran also receives TDIU benefits.