COPD decisions — 2019

The Veteran's hypertension and hemorrhoids have been rated appropriately. The Board has found that the Veteran is already in receipt of the maximum allowable rating for his hemorrhoids.,The Veteran’s left ankle disability, hydrocele, recurrent kidney stones, sleep apnea, COPD, and PTSD are all remanded for further development.

The Veteran's initial rating for PTSD was increased to 70 percent, effective from the date of the decision. Service connection for COPD remains pending and is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional records, as well as clarification on the Veteran's exposure history.

The Veteran's pneumothorax disability was granted a 100 percent rating effective January 22, 2014. The issues of entitlement to a higher rating for supraventricular arrhythmias and TDIU were dismissed.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD with obstructive sleep apnea. The case is remanded to determine if his conditions are related to active duty military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD due to asbestos exposure is being remanded because VA did not properly develop the evidence and provide an appropriate examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back pain, left knee pain, right knee pain, tinnitus, COPD, and bilateral foot disorder (plantar fasciitis) have been remanded due to the need for additional development.,Specifically, the Board is directed to further develop evidence related to these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for granulomatous disease, claimed as right-side lobectomy due to asbestos exposure is granted.,Service connection is denied for sleep apnea and the issue of service connection for a respiratory disorder, including COPD, emphysema, interstitial lung disease, and asbestosis, is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical records related to the Veteran's cause of death and VA’s duty to assist in obtaining relevant private treatment records.

The claim of service connection for a respiratory condition, including COPD, is reopened and remanded. The claim of service connection for a lower back condition is also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected bronchitis and emphysema diagnosed as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease did not cause or permanently aggravate his loss of use of the legs, nor did it result in loss of use of both feet. Therefore, he is denied eligibility for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of the feet.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and chronic headaches (migraines) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. Service connection for COPD is denied.

The Board has decided that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a heart disability. The case is remanded for further action on the issue of service connection for COPD, including as due to asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a respiratory disease due to asbestos exposure are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected COPD is currently rated at 30 percent, but he argues that this rating does not reflect the severity of his condition. The Board finds a need for an examination to determine the current severity of his COPD.

The Veteran's COPD is not service connected as it was not caused by his in-service asbestos or lead exposure, and there is no other evidence linking the condition to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including COPD, due to exposure to asbestos and/or lead-based paint. The decision is based on the need for additional medical examination and consideration of the Veteran's lay statements regarding his alleged exposure to lead-based paint.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral knee and hip disabilities, hernia, and respiratory disorder due to exposure to asbestos and other hazardous chemicals. The claims are being reviewed again with additional evidence considered.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam and also granted service connection for atrial fibrillation disability, secondary to now service connected COPD on a causation basis. The decision is based on the presumption of herbicide agent exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing VA medical treatment records and inextricably intertwined issues of TDIU. The Veteran's service-connected asbestosis with COPD is the basis for both increased rating and TDIU claims.