COPD decisions — 2018

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and the claim for burial benefits is denied as there was no pending claim for VA compensation at the time of his death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C has been reopened. The claims for hypertension and COPD have not been reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. Service connection for lung cancer is denied as the condition did not manifest within one year post-service. Effective dates are granted for major depressive disorder, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's COPD with asbestosis is rated at 100% effective September 13, 2010. Prior to that date, the rating was 10%. The VA granted SMC from August 30, 2013.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not found to be related to service.,His lumbar spine disorder, left shoulder disorder, cardiomyopathy, hair loss, headache disorder, and COPD were also not found to be related to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss are granted. The claim for COPD is remanded as the VA has not provided an examination to determine its cause.

The Veteran's respiratory disabilities, including asthma and COPD, have been rated at a 60 percent disability rating for the period prior to November 10, 2014. A TDIU has also been granted for this period.

The Board denied service connection for COPD and plantar fasciitis, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining deck logs and verifying his alleged asbestos exposure. The Veteran is also entitled to VA examinations to assess his lung disability, gastric disability, liver disability, erectile dysfunction, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, and diabetic neuropathy.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and right knee disability. The claim for acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, is remanded due to insufficient evidence.,Service connection for heart disability, respiratory disease (COPD), cervical spine and thoracic spine disability, right wrist disability, and bilateral ankle disability remains pending.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, IBS, and GERD are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and new theories of entitlement raised at his hearing. The issues regarding hypertension and SMC based on aid and attendance/housebound rate are also remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected, with the decision based on continuity of symptomatology since service.,Service connection for COPD and residuals of pneumonia are granted due to evidence suggesting a link between these conditions and in-service events.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic lung disease, including COPD and emphysema, finding that his current respiratory disability is more likely due to smoking rather than in-service exposure to fuel or asbestos.

The Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability, and there is no evidence that VA treatment caused his death.,VA denied both the DIC claim based on service connection for cause of death and the 38 U.S.C. § 1151 claim.

The Board has granted service connection for a left lower extremity nerve disorder, including neuropathy and radiculopathy. The claim for respiratory disorder (COPD) is denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or relationship to service. Cold injury residuals are also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records, including missing service treatment records (STRs), and a need for medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and his cause of death.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence suggesting possible restrictive lung disease and conflicting opinions on COPD service connection.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and medical opinions are needed to properly assess the Veteran's claims for coronary artery disease, PTSD, COPD, erectile dysfunction, and TDIU. The issues of service connection and rating will be remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits due to new evidence received since the last denial. The issue of entitlement to a higher initial rating for coronary artery disease, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and erectile dysfunction, as well as total disability based on individual unemployability will be addressed in a separate decision.

The Board dismissed the appeals for bilateral wrist/joints condition with loss of feeling and skin rash. The COPD, hypertension, and prostate problems claims are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's conditions and his military service, particularly concerning asthma, COPD, and left hip replacement.