COPD decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory and heart conditions are not related to his service, and his right knee disability does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's pulmonary disorders and their relationship to service, particularly asbestos exposure. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the submission of additional evidence since the April 2015 Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Board has denied service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and remanded the issue of service connection for lumbar spine degenerative spondylosis. The Veteran's COPD claim was denied due to lack of a current diagnosis, while his lower back injury claim is being remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for various disabilities, including hypertension. The AOJ is instructed to obtain a VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension was caused or aggravated by herbicide exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, heart condition, and COPD due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's claims are not supported by competent medical opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and missing SSA records. The Veteran's COPD is being reviewed for service connection, with consideration given to PTSD and herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted. The Board has also remanded several issues related to his diabetes mellitus, type II and other disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's left knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus (secondary to non-service-connected bilateral hearing loss), COPD, and heart disorders are all under review.

The Board has granted service connection for asthma and COPD, finding that the conditions are related to exposure to fumes during military service.

The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed for the Veteran's lung disease claim due to exposure to asbestos in service.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory condition, including bronchitis and COPD, as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during or after service.,The Board also denied service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD), finding that the Veteran's CAD was not caused by his military service.

The Board has remanded four issues: bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, COPD, and adenoid cystic carcinoma. The Veteran's service treatment records indicate some respiratory symptoms during service, but the claims are being remanded for additional development including obtaining inpatient hospital records from Fort Jackson Army Hospital.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's lung disability is related to his service, specifically exposure to herbicide agents. An addendum medical opinion is required.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the restoration of a 10 percent rating for COPD, and thus the issue is dismissed.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that COPD was not related to active service or herbicide exposure and PTSD did not contribute substantially or materially to the cause of death.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination. The issues include reopening his diabetes mellitus claim, service connection for diabetic neuropathy, and service connection for sleep apnea with COPD.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of service connection for a respiratory disorder, to include COPD; and ratings in excess of 10 percent for history of lumbar strain with sacralization at L-5 with L4-5 disc space narrowing, arthralgia of the right shoulder, arthralgia of the left shoulder, arthralgia of the right wrist, and bilateral elbow arthralgia. The Veteran was exposed to a chemical fire during service, which may be related to his current respiratory disorders.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including asthma and COPD. The remand requires obtaining information about hazardous chemicals the Veteran may have been exposed to during active service and providing legible copies of his service personnel records. A medical opinion is also needed regarding the nature and etiology of his respiratory condition.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disability, including COPD and lung cancer.,Service connection was also denied for the cause of the Veteran's death.