COPD decisions — 2018

The claim of service connection for COPD is reopened and remanded due to new evidence received since the last denial.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, hypertension, COPD, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and erectile dysfunction) precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment during the period from January 12, 2007 through July 22, 2009. As a result, he was granted a TDIU for this period.

The Veteran's death was caused by asbestosis, COPD, and lung cancer. The Board has granted service connection for the cause of his death based on direct evidence.

The Veteran's respiratory disorders, including COPD and interstitial lung disease, are being remanded for further development as the claim is related to service. The cause of death due to carcinoma of the lung with contributory peripheral vascular disease has been granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for COPD, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his COPD and either in-service exposure or his service-connected PTSD. The COPD is considered to be due to smoking.

The Board has remanded the claims for COPD, PTSD, and CAD due to insufficient evidence or further evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, finding that it is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected arthritis.

The Veteran's initial rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) was granted at a 60% level, but not greater. The appeal is remanded for further evaluation of cervical spine and low back disabilities, COPD, sleep apnea, and hypertension.,An earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for hypertension is also being remanded due to new evidence.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred during a private hospitalization from June 1st to June 5th, 2014 are now covered by VA.

The Board has remanded the claims for asbestosis, COPD, emphysema, and bronchitis due to inadequate November 2015 VA examination report. The Veteran needs a new examination to clarify his pulmonary diagnosis(es) and their etiology.

The Board has remanded the case for further evaluation of the Veteran's asbestosis with pleural plaques to determine its level of functional impairment.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for a heart disorder and cause of death. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's obesity, caused by his service-connected disabilities (PTSD), was a substantial factor in causing his heart disorder(s) and diabetes.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for obstructive defects, skin disabilities, fibromyalgia, headaches, and depressive disorder have been dismissed.,Service connection has been granted for fibromyalgia, to include bilateral shoulder and hand joint pain.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and the need for a VA examination to determine if any current respiratory disorders are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board cannot adjudicate the merits of the case as he is no longer alive.

The Veteran's low back strain has been granted service connection.,Service connection for high cholesterol is denied as it is not a compensable disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened, but the evidence does not meet the criteria to establish a current disability.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD has been reopened, but the evidence does not meet the criteria to establish a current disability.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral knee disorders, and lumbosacral spine disorder have all been reopened. The additional evidence raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been remanded due to the need for a VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected Generalized Anxiety Disorder contributed to his death from lung cancer, COPD, pneumonia, and coronary artery disease. The Board found the evidence at least in equipoise as to whether GAD caused or contributed substantially to the cause of death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further medical examination. The claims include lumbar strain, lumbar spondylisthesis, COPD, heart disability, prostate cancer, and bladder cancer.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and granted service connection for hypertension. Service connection was remanded for COPD and diabetes mellitus/ischemic heart disease.