COPD decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's COPD and asbestosis are related to service, including exposure to asbestos.

Service connection for diabetes, fibromyalgia, COPD, congestive heart failure, hypertension, sexual dysfunction (including erectile dysfunction), bladder cancer, and bilateral upper extremity neuropathy is denied.,The Veteran's service treatment records do not show any diagnosis or complaints related to these conditions. The Board found no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation for any of the claimed disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a pulmonary disorder including COPD and his cause of death, finding that there is no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and PTSD are granted service connection, with a 50% initial rating for PTSD. The other issues remain pending.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection, including for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a respiratory disorder (COPD and asthma), nerve damage of the feet, and hyperkeratoses of the feet. The claims are being returned due to incomplete VA treatment records and lack of audiometric test results.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic asthma, COPD, and hypertension. The decision found no evidence of a link between these conditions and service.

The Board has granted a request for a new hearing due to the appellant's inability to attend the originally scheduled videoconference hearing. The case is now remanded for scheduling a new hearing.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective as of April 26, 2012. The VA has remanded the issue of service connection for COPD due to herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma is granted, and the issue of aggravation of COPD/asthma by his service-connected PTSD and/or gastritis with GERD is remanded.

The Veteran's lung disability, including COPD and asbestosis, is being remanded for further development to ensure a complete record.

The Veteran's COPD is found to be related to his service, including exposure to vehicle exhaust and pneumonia in service. Service connection for COPD is granted.

The Veteran's panic disorder is granted as service connected. Lung, skin, and heat stroke claims are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not related to his service, as he did not have a hearing loss disability at separation and there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure. The Board finds the weight of probative evidence against a finding that the current hearing loss is related to service.,The Veteran's COPD with emphysema is not related to his service or Agent Orange exposure, as he did not have any respiratory condition other than COPD at separation and there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The Board finds the weight of probative evidence against a finding that the current COPD is related to service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate VA examinations and missing records. The Veteran's left foot hallux valgus, lung disability (COPD and chronic bronchitis), and coronary artery disease ratings need further development.

The Board denied service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, COPD, and small cell lung cancer as the evidence did not support a causal nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease due to inadequate etiology opinions in the VA examinations. The Veteran's current diagnoses are being evaluated, along with his reported in-service exposures.

Service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, increased ratings for headaches and hearing loss, and service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, type II are dismissed.,The petition to reopen the claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is granted. Service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, type II are also granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides during service in Thailand.

The Veteran's mild osteoarthritis of the left knee is granted as service connected.,Service connection for COPD is denied. The Board found that the Veteran's COPD was not related to her military service.,The Eustachian Tube Dysfunction (ETD) is remanded to determine if it was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's lung cancer residuals were reduced from a 100% rating to a 60% rating, but the Board restored the 100% rating effective February 1, 2016.

The Veteran's bladder disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease.,Service connection for headache disability was denied due to lack of current evidence and no identified underlying condition.