COPD decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the case for a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's PTSD caused or contributed to his rib injuries in 2001, which may have aggravated his COPD and led to his death.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's exposure to asbestos and ionizing radiation, as well as the presence of pleural plaque. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral elbow disability, COPD, and emphysema. The effective dates for granting service connection for left knee and left ankle disabilities were not granted earlier than May 3, 2016. The rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy was also denied.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and therefore his widow cannot establish service connection for the cause of her husband's death.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus. Service connection is denied for right and left knee disabilities, as well as COPD.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's pulmonary condition is related to his service, specifically his exposure to asbestos while serving as a Torpedoman aboard the USS Forrest B. Royal.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of medical expenses at John D. Archbold Memorial Medical Center is remanded due to the need for additional treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and bowel obstruction, as these conditions are presumed related to herbicide agent exposure during his military service.

The Board has determined that the VA examiner's opinion is inadequate and remands the case for a new medical examination to determine if the appellant’s asthma and COPD were clearly and unmistakably aggravated by his active service.

All claims for service connection have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.,The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current disability related to any of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were denied as not incurred in service.

The Veteran's death was due to cardiorespiratory failure caused by CAD and COPD. His service-connected anxiety disorder aggravated his COPD, contributing to his death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to independently perform daily functions of self-care or unable to protect himself from the hazards and dangers incident to his daily environment, thus denying special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a digestive disorder, PTSD, and COPD have been denied. The appeal is also denied for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus type II. The issues of service connection for eye disorder (secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus) and TDIU are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and COPD in February 2009. The RO also denied reopening these claims in September 2007. New evidence received since these decisions is not considered new and material, so the claims remain denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's hypertension, which is presumed to be related to service exposure. The Veteran's COPD and diabetes mellitus are not service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, but the effective dates are not specified. The ratings assigned for obesity and hypertension remain unchanged.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for service-connected erectile dysfunction was denied. The Veteran is currently rated at 60 percent for his service-connected amputation of the left forearm pronator teres.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities were granted effective August 1, 2014. He also has a claim for an earlier effective date which is being remanded.,The Veteran's new claim for service connection for heart condition was denied. His hypertension, COPD, obstructive sleep apnea, prostate cancer, and tinnitus claims are all pending.,A total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected COPD, fibrosis, bronchiectasis and asbestosis is being remanded due to the need for additional private treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for breathing problems, finding that the evidence does not support a link between the Veteran's current respiratory issues and his military service.