COPD decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a chronic respiratory disorder and leukemia due to new diagnoses and lack of medical opinions on these issues.

Service connection is granted for COPD, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation as secondary to COPD, and obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to COPD and/or paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

The Veteran's service connection claims for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and hypertension are denied. The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional evidence regarding the Veteran's hypertension, including whether it is related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents or secondary to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for her low back disability is denied. The Board found that the objective medical findings did not support a higher rating, despite the Veteran's reported symptoms and functional limitations. Her claim for TDIU was granted as she met the schedular requirements and had service-connected disabilities rated at least 60% combined.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to inadequate testing in a previous VA examination.

The Veteran's service connection claim for respiratory conditions, including as due to exposure to herbicide agents and contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, is denied. The Veteran's PTSD rating from April 2, 2014 to February 23, 2017 is granted at a 50 percent disability rating but his request for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent during this period is denied.

The Board denied service connection for a lung disability, including asbestosis and COPD, due to asbestos exposure during active service. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was also denied an initial compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain additional VA treatment records. The Veteran's claims of service connection for sinusitis, respiratory disorders (including asthma and COPD), and bladder disorder are still pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient verification of exposure to hazardous cleaning materials during service, and a need for further medical examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient verification of exposure to hazardous cleaning materials during service, and a need for further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD and/or pneumonia, finding that there was no evidence to support a finding that these conditions were caused or aggravated by his military service. The Board also found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not contribute to his death.

The Board found no evidence of service connection for the claimed conditions and denied all issues on appeal.

The Veteran's respiratory disabilities are not presumed to be due to herbicide exposure, and there is no evidence of a chronic disability during service or for years thereafter. The VA examiner concluded that the current asthma with possible COPD variant did not have its onset during service.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disorder, including asthma, COPD, and residuals of pneumonia, finding that the Veteran's current disability is more likely due to his long-time smoking than any in-service illness.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, as well as SSA records. The Veteran's COPD and prostate cancer service-connected conditions are at issue.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder, but the other issues remain pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's claims for COPD with mild asthma, hypertension, and gastroenteritis have been denied as there is no evidence to support their onset during service or a link to service.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including respiratory issues and cardiovascular conditions, as they were not related to the Veteran's active duty or a service-connected disability.,Specifically, the Board found that the Veteran did not have a current respiratory disability other than pleural plaques, which was already service connected. The COPD he claimed was determined to be unrelated to his in-service asbestos exposure and secondary to tobacco use.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected hypertension caused his death by congestive heart failure.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is service-connected, but his hypertension and respiratory disorder claims are not established. The Board will need to obtain additional evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to asbestos during service and determine if a current respiratory disorder exists.