COPD decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for COPD as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the left shoulder disability claim, while the cervical spine disability claim was reopened based on new evidence showing a diagnosis of chronic neck pain. Service connection for heart disorder and respiratory disability were not established due to lack of current diagnoses or functional impairment. The mood disorder claim is granted as secondary to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and the identification of new claims. The initial compensable rating for service-connected spot on right lung due to asbestos exposure requires further evaluation, and other issues related to heart disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, stomach disorder, spine and knee problems, and COPD are also raised.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Peyronie's disease, as well as his request for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to August 26, 2016, were both denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of direct service connection and the Veteran was not unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disability, fibromyalgia, COPD, and sleep apnea have been dismissed. The claim for increased ratings for psychiatric disability and atrial fibrillation has also been dismissed.,The claim for service connection for a back disability is reopened but remanded due to insufficient evidence in the previous VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a stomach disability, an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression), and COPD have all been denied. The denial is based on the lack of evidence supporting these conditions during his military service or due to exposure to asbestos.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including chronic fatigue syndrome, bronchitis, asthma, COPD, sleep apnea, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, diverticulosis, colon polyps, kidney stones, cysts and lumps, facial acne, headaches, and depression. The remand requires obtaining private medical records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's lung disability and its relationship to his service, including environmental exposures during active duty.

The Veteran's death was not caused by his military service, including exposure to herbicides. The cause of death listed on the official certificate was pneumonia, secondary to lung cancer and acute renal failure, with COPD contributing significantly.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea due to additional development being required.

The Board has granted service connection for a lung disorder, manifested by emphysema and COPD, due to chemical exposures during military service. The decision is based on the Veteran's testimony of exposure to chemicals like Difluoromethane, Carbon Tetoride, Trichloroethylene, and asbestos.

The Board denied service connection for COPD and hypertension, finding no evidence of a relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.,Nonservice-connected pension was also denied due to income exceeding the maximum annual pension rate.

The Veteran's medical expenses incurred at Englewood Community Hospital on December 20, 2014 for an acute exacerbation of COPD were granted as the condition was considered a medical emergency and no VA facility was feasibly available.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding service connection for COPD and AML. The Veteran's exposure to burn pits is acknowledged, but a new medical opinion is needed to determine if his COPD and AML are related to this exposure.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of COPD before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and evidence are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, a skin condition, and left carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board is unable to determine the exact amount of last illness expenses for the surviving spouse due to insufficient information, and thus, the case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's lung condition, including whether it is related to fire pit exposure or asbestos exposure.

The Board denied service connection for COPD as there is no probative medical opinion linking the Veteran's current COPD to service or his service-connected asthma.

The Veteran's Barrett's metaplasia is denied as it was not shown to be related to service, including herbicide exposure.,Service connection for a lung disorder (including COPD, asthma, and a nodule in the right lower lung) is remanded due to incomplete development of evidence regarding asbestos exposure during military service.,Service connection for a heart disorder (including coronary artery disease, other ischemic heart disease, hypertensive heart disease, and valve abnormalities) is remanded due to incomplete development of evidence regarding herbicide agent exposure during military service.,Service connection for hypertension is remanded due to incomplete development of evidence regarding PTSD as the potential cause or aggravation.