COPD decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions and records. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for COPD remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical records and VA examinations.

The Veteran's lung disorder, asbestosis, and COPD/breathing problems are being remanded for further examination. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus remain on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected COPD does not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or special home adaptation grants due to lack of a qualifying permanent and total disability, and there is no evidence that his COPD resulted from an inhalation injury during service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding the appellant's claimed stressor and to obtain additional medical opinions. The appeal will be considered again after these actions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current COPD is not related to his active service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed as he requested to withdraw the appeal for the issue of entitlement to service connection for headaches.

The Board found that an effective date earlier than February 25, 2013 for the grant of service connection for asbestosis (claimed as COPD) is not warranted due to lack of prior formal or informal claims. The claim was granted on February 25, 2013.

The Board has determined that additional examination is needed to address the nature and severity of nonservice-connected disorders, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and incontinence. The Veteran's need for assistance appears to be based, at least in part, on bowel and bladder incontinence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic kidney disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board has granted the Appellant's petition to reopen her claim for service connection for COPD. The case is now remanded for further development, including obtaining an opinion on whether COPD was caused or aggravated by diabetes mellitus and considering any additional evidence related to the cause of death.

The Veteran's service-connected COPD results in loss of use of both lower extremities due to severe dyspnea, necessitating the use of assistive devices for ambulation and hygiene. As a result, he is eligible for specially adapted housing but not for a special home adaptation grant.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for COPD was dismissed due to his death.

The Board found that the Veteran's respiratory conditions, including COPD and emphysema, did not manifest during service or as a result of asbestos exposure. The obstructive sleep apnea was also determined to have no connection with service or asbestos exposure. The acquired psychiatric disorder was deemed unrelated to service.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected hypothyroidism was withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD as a result of asbestos exposure in service. The issues of service connection for CAD and CHF, to include as secondary to the service-connected asbestosis, and an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss are pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lung condition, to include COPD, is being remanded due to the need for an in-person examination and additional medical opinions.

The Board found that there is no nexus between the Veteran's respiratory disorders and his service or a service-connected condition, including asbestosis. The weight of medical evidence does not support a finding that any current respiratory disorder is related to an in-service event or service-connected asbestosis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, hypertriglyceridemia, asthma, and COPD have all been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or etiological link to military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evaluation and consideration of his service-connected asbestosis with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. A new VA examination will be scheduled to assess the current severity of his condition.