COPD decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the cause of death and the relationship between the Veteran's heart disease and his death. The examiner is requested to provide a clear opinion on whether COPD had its onset in service or is related to service, including conceded herbicide agent exposure. Additionally, an opinion is needed on whether the Veteran’s ischemic heart disease was the immediate or underlying cause of death or etiologically related thereto.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for sarcoidosis and remanded the issues of service connection for respiratory disorder (fibrosis and COPD) and hypertension.

The Veteran's death was not caused by or a result of his service-connected lower back disability. The cause of death listed on the death certificate, COPD, is considered the immediate cause of death. Service connection for cause of death is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for pulmonary emphysema, left and right foot conditions, left and right knee conditions, low back condition, and COPD due to lack of evidence supporting these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD (also claimed as emphysema) on a secondary basis to the service-connected asbestos exposure.

The Board denied service connection for COPD because the evidence does not support a finding that it is related to service, specifically due to lack of medical nexus.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD as the Veteran's claimed condition is considered to be directly related to his military service.

Service connection for thyroid cancer is granted due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange. Service connection for COPD is remanded as there is no opinion on whether it was aggravated by service-connected lung cancer.

The claim of service connection for COPD has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if COPD is related to active service.

The Veteran's death was due to COPD, but he was not service-connected for this condition. The appellant is a surviving child of the Veteran and has been determined to be ineligible as a qualifying survivor for DIC benefits.

The Board denied service connection for a lung disability, including asbestosis, finding that the Veteran's COPD is not related to his military service or any exposure therein.

The Veteran requested to withdraw all his pending claims, including those for bilateral hearing loss, COPD, and asbestos plaques. As a result, the appeals are dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory condition, including asthma, emphysema, and COPD, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for chronic kidney disorder, COPD, and diabetes have been denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during his active service or within one year post-service. The Board found that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam and thus was not exposed to herbicides. His current conditions are considered to be unrelated to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The remaining claims on appeal are remanded.

The Veteran's death was caused by metastatic adenocarcinoma of esophagus, which first manifested many years after service. The evidence does not support a connection to his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board has granted service connection for PAD, but denied service connection for sleep apnea and COPD. The case is remanded for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's COPD is secondary to his service-connected CAD.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to incomplete consideration of evidence and need for further examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was due to his COPD, which is considered a contributory cause of death. The service connection for this condition is deemed direct and not related to asbestos exposure.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, PTSD, heart condition, and stroke. Service connection was granted for unspecified trauma-related disorder.