COPD decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between COPD and service exposure. The Veteran's private physician provided a statement indicating an asbestos component to his COPD, but more evidence is needed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cause of death due to herbicide exposure and/or asbestos exposure, finding that lung cancer did not have its onset during service or manifest within a year after separation. The Board also found no evidence linking the Veteran’s lung cancer to his service-connected hyperthyroidism.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left and right carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as his hypertension, were denied. The Veteran was granted a 100% disability rating for asthma with COPD and OSA effective September 4, 1998.,The issue of entitlement to TDIU prior to August 3, 2015 is dismissed as moot due to the grant of an earlier effective date for the award of a TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for CML, COPD, Addison's disease, and nerve damage in the back and hips. The claim for sleep apnea is remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for a respiratory disorder, including sarcoidosis and COPD, as well as asthma. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has granted service connection for interstitial lung disease but remanded the claim for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease due to potential aggravation by interstitial lung disease.

The Board denied reopening of the claims for service connection for degenerative disc/bone disease, spinal stenosis, cervical spine disability, and COPD/emphysema due to lack of new and material evidence. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of bladder cancer was also denied.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a respiratory disability is granted. However, the claim itself remains denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Board denied service connection for COPD and hypertension, finding that there was no evidence to support a grant of service connection on any basis.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the claim for dependency and indemnity compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is denied.

The Board previously denied service connection for a chronic respiratory disorder, including COPD. The case is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the March 2017 VA opinion and the need to address lay evidence and private medical records.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for COPD, sleep apnea, and diabetes mellitus due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's service connection claim will be reconsidered after obtaining additional information from VA and private treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD (claimed as a respiratory condition) due to asbestos exposure, finding that there is no evidence linking his current COPD to his in-service exposure.

The Veteran's death was caused by COPD, congestive heart failure, sepsis with shock, pneumonia, chronic renal failure, and adrenal insufficiency. The VA does not find a link between these conditions and the Veteran's service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, finding that his COPD is more likely due to tobacco use than exposure to environmental hazards in service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, including COPD, due to asbestos exposure during service. The VA examiner found that COPD was more likely caused by tobacco abuse and previous injuries, not related to asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's COPD is rated at 60 percent since October 17, 2011. He also meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for COPD and CAD, finding no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service or asbestos exposure. Service connection was granted for a peripheral vestibular disorder associated with his hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has denied service connection for asthma and COPD, but has remanded the issues of left knee disability and right knee disability due to failure to provide proper notice.