COPD decisions — 2018

The Board has decided that the Veteran's lung disability, including COPD, may be related to his military service and is requesting further examination and review.

The Board has remanded the claims for left hand, right hand, low back, left leg, right leg, bilateral hearing loss, COPD, sleep apnea, residuals of head trauma, and headache disorder as well as the psychiatric disorders. The VA will obtain all outstanding VA treatment records and provide a VA psychiatric examination to determine if any current psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Board previously denied service connection for a pulmonary disability, but the Court found this decision was flawed due to reliance on an inaccurate exposure assessment. The case is being remanded to obtain a new opinion regarding whether the Veteran's conditions are related to in-service asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and addendum opinion.,The Veteran's claim for Parkinson's disease is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and review of private treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for COPD is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for extreme joint pain is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for skin disorder, to include malignant melanomas, is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and review of private treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for rectal impact surgery as secondary to service-connected organic aphonia is remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's COPD is denied as there is no competent evidence linking the condition to his active service, and the claim fails due to lack of a nexus between service and current disability.

The Board has remanded the appeal due to its inextricability with other pending appeals, and will readjudicate whether the appellant is eligible for CHAMPVA benefits after resolving those issues.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for COPD, diabetes mellitus, type II, heart disability, erectile dysfunction, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and sleep apnea have been granted. The appeals are based on presumed exposure to herbicides during service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to difficulties in scheduling VA examinations because of his incarceration. The issues include arthritis, hearing loss, COPD, hypertension, renal failure, lymphocytic lymphoma, and thrombocytopenia.

The Board dismissed the claim of service connection for eczema due to the Veteran's withdrawal. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability to include PTSD is granted. Service connection for COPD and migraines are remanded, as well as the issue of special monthly compensation for aid and attendance and/or housebound.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development due to a lack of recent treatment records and an outdated VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and further investigation is needed.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claims for hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for tinnitus and COPD due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's tinnitus is related to exposure to noise in service, while his COPD may be related to exposure to chemicals or cold weather during service.

The Board has remanded the claims of COPD, bronchial asthma, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The low back disability claim is also being remanded for a VA examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, COPD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to new evidence. The cases are remanded for further development including VA examinations.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of COPD due to new and material evidence. The Board also found that there is a reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, thus granting service connection for COPD as it is related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and no merits decision could be made.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disorder, including COPD and pneumonia, finding that the Veteran's current condition was not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder osteoarthritis and a pulmonary disorder, claimed COPD, are being remanded due to the need for additional development.