COPD decisions — 2018

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for diffuse pleural airthickening due to asbestos exposure during service, but denied his claim for COPD as it did not manifest in service and is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's previously denied service connection claims for a chronic respiratory disorder, skin disorders, left knee strain, sleep disorder, gastrointestinal distress, fatigue, and muscular and joint pain are all granted. The appeals have been remanded for additional medical opinions on the relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's COPD and the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for asbestos related pleural calcifications and plaques is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess his current level of severity, including any relationship between his mild COPD and service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, with the Board finding that it is at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure.,Service connection for a respiratory condition (COPD) is denied. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the COPD began during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected bronchial asthma and COPD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chest infections, COPD, and emphysema has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. However, additional development is required as the VA examiner's opinions were inadequate.

The Veteran's asbestosis is rated at 60 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board also denied his claim for TDIU prior to March 29, 2016.

The Board has found that additional development is needed for the service connection claims, including obtaining outstanding records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an eye disorder, a respiratory disability, and the cause of the Veteran's death due to additional development being required.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding hypertension, migraines, short term memory loss, and a rating in excess of 30 percent for actinic keratosis. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) was granted with a 30% rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sarcoidosis has been reopened due to new and material evidence. The appeal is granted to that extent, but the claims for COPD and sarcoidosis are remanded as there is insufficient competent medical evidence to make a fully-informed decision.

The appeal on most of the issues has been withdrawn and is dismissed. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, upper extremities, hypertension, gout, asthma, COPD, and right ankle disability have been granted. The remaining issues are remanded.

Service connection for a bilateral ankle disorder, lung disorder, and scars of the forearm and ankles is denied.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depression) is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis and COPD are being remanded for further evaluation due to worsening symptoms since the last examination in October 2011.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange during service in Thailand, which could impact his cause of death.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for COPD and a psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The COPD claim is related to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in service, while the PTSD claim requires further examination due to conflicting diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a back disorder and respiratory disorder due to in-service exposure, as new evidence was received. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his current conditions based on in-service injuries.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical disorder, headaches, left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and a respiratory disorder (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, and emphysema) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,Service connection was not granted as the Veteran did not have a current disability that began during or was otherwise related to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, including psoriatic arthritis, osteoporosis, COPD, vasculitis, and peripheral neuropathy. The claims for service connection will be remanded.