COPD decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear etiology of the appellant's current respiratory disability, including whether it is related to service-connected asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and COPD, rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his severe mental incapacity and physical limitations.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and remanded the issue of service connection for a breathing disorder due to exposure to diesel fuel.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability. The Board found that the Veteran did not have any service-connected conditions, and his lung cancer was more likely due to smoking rather than exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's lung disability, including cavitary carcinoma – squamous cell and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is rated at 100 percent since February 29, 2012. The decision grants the initial rating of 100 percent for his lung disability.

The Board has denied service connection for a heart disability, hypertension, sinusitis, and respiratory disability (COPD) due to herbicide agent exposure. The cases are remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's claims of asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including COPD, aortic stenosis, sleep apnea, and depression have been remanded due to insufficient evidence. The hearing loss and tinnitus ratings remain denied.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including bilateral shoulder condition, respiratory condition (COPD), left knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The reasons given were that the Veteran did not report symptoms related to these conditions until many years after service, and his work as a mason post-service was not considered strenuous enough to cause arthritis.

The Board has denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral upper extremity disability (paralysis), and COPD. The case is remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's claim of an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded three claims: service connection for COPD, service connection for cirrhosis of the liver, and service connection for the cause of death. The remand includes obtaining private treatment records and requesting a medical opinion regarding the onset and relationship to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss disability and COPD, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.,The Board noted that while the Veteran reported exposure to noise during service, this did not result in a current hearing loss disability. For COPD, the Board found that there was no evidence of a nexus between the condition and service.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance of another person was denied because he did not meet the criteria set forth in 38 C.F.R. § 3.352(a). The Board found that the Veteran could dress, feed himself, attend to his hygiene needs, and protect himself from daily hazards without regular assistance. For the nonservice-connected pension claim, the Veteran's income exceeded the maximum annual pension rate for a veteran with one dependent, thus denying the claim.

The Board has dismissed the claims as the appellant died during the appeal process and thus, no jurisdiction remains to adjudicate the merits of these claims.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including bronchitis and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. Additional evidence is needed from the Veteran regarding his treatment records, particularly those related to his diagnoses of COPD, sleep apnea, and carpal tunnel syndrome. A VA examination will be conducted to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied service connection for lung cancer, COPD, heart disease, and a right shoulder disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability has not been shown to be worse than Level II in either ear, resulting in a 0 percent rating. The Board found no evidence of worsening since the last examination and denied an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss. For emphysema and COPD, service connection is remanded due to lack of opinion on Agent Orange exposure. Service connection for gastrointestinal disorder is also remanded as there was no opinion on whether it is related to Agent Orange or aggravated by a service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and requires VA medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected disabilities, but the Board needs further medical opinions to determine if these conditions aggravated other significant conditions that contributed to his death.

The Board has denied service connection for emphysema and COPD, finding that the Veteran's conditions are not related to his military service. The appeal of the claim for service connection for pneumothorax is remanded due to a lack of medical opinion addressing its etiology.