COPD decisions — 2018

The Veteran's COPD is granted as service connected. The claims for IBS and an acquired psychiatric disability are denied.

The Veteran's respiratory disorders, including COPD and obstructive sleep apnea, are not service-connected as they are due to her long-term smoking habit rather than any in-service exposure or injury.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since March 7, 2012. The Board found that the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran’s PTSD caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas of his life.

The appeals for the veteran's claims of service connection for degenerative disc disease, emphysema, COPD, ruptured spleen, and sciatica have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses is remanded due to unclear details about the medications and other health care coverage.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, finding no current evidence of these conditions. The COPD claim is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's adenocarcinoma of the left lung, status post upper lobectomy with COPD and scar is rated at a 10 percent disability rating.

The Board has denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claims of service connection for COPD, chronic atrial fibrillation (claimed as associated with CAD), and an increased rating for CAD. Additional evidence is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service or if they have worsened.

Your appeal has been dismissed because you withdrew your request for service connection for COPD due to asbestos exposure.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, Type II, neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, and a pulmonary disability. The issues regarding service connection for these conditions are remanded due to insufficient evidence on exposure and potential secondary relationships.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which may be related to service-connected conditions or herbicide exposure. The issue of service connection for COPD is also on appeal.

The Veteran's death was caused by acute gastrointestinal hemorrhage due to chronic ethanolism, with COPD contributing but not causing the death. The Board found no evidence linking any service-connected disability or exposure to asbestos to the cause of death.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his previously denied service connection claims for COPD, asthma, and residuals of pneumonia. The claim is now considered on its merits, and the evidence supports a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of evidence regarding service connection for a respiratory disorder, including whether any current diagnoses are related to the Veteran's heart disease.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 30 percent for residuals of lung cancer, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is granted. The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for residual scar from cyst removal on the left side of neck is denied. The effective date for service connection for residuals of lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is set at April 12, 2011. The effective date for service connection for residual scar from cyst removal on the left side of neck is also set at April 12, 2011.

Service connection is granted for ischemic heart disease. The cases of COPD, bladder cancer, TDIU, and the cause of death are remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, and his sensorineural hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Veteran's COPD, hypertensive heart disease, PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including memory disorder, major depression, and generalized anxiety), and erectile dysfunction are all remanded for further development.

The Board has dismissed the claim of entitlement to service connection for an eating disorder. The remaining issues have been remanded due to incomplete records and need for new VA examinations.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for low back disability and COPD. However, the preponderance of the evidence is against finding a direct or presumptive link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is being remanded due to insufficient opinions regarding both direct and secondary service connection.