COPD decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for asbestosis/pleural plaques and COPD has been reopened, but the appeal is still pending due to further evidence needed. The Board has ordered additional medical records and an addendum opinion from a pulmonary specialist.

The Board has found that additional development is needed for the claims of service connection and increased evaluations, as well as the issue of TDIU. The Veteran's representative raised a new issue of entitlement to a TDIU in December 2018.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for blood clot to the lungs and breathing problems related to asbestos exposure should be remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation as of June 1, 2008.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD has been granted. Service connection for COPD was denied.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for COPD and PTSD have been dismissed because he withdrew his appeal prior to the decision being made.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and COPD, finding that both conditions are related to the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Vietnam. The decision is based on presumptive service connection under VA regulations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence linking the Veteran's respiratory conditions, including asthma and COPD, to his service in Vietnam. The Veteran was exposed to toxic fumes while serving as a rocket crewman and from other incidents during his service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his hearing acuity does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.,The Board finds that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disorder, including somatic symptoms disorder, and whether it is related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for cracked ribs has been denied as there is no evidence of rib removal or resection without regeneration.,Service connection for lung conditions (COPD and Bronchiectasis) and back condition (Cracked Vertebra and Degenerative Joint Disease) are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.,Cold injury residuals of bilateral feet, hands, and face have been remanded as there is insufficient evidence on file to determine if they are related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lung disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current respiratory condition and his military service or any exposure to asbestos. The Board also found that the Veteran’s statements regarding post-service asbestos exposure were inconsistent with earlier records.

The Veteran's lung disability (COPD, emphysema) and rheumatoid arthritis are granted as service connected. The claim for secondary service connection for rheumatoid arthritis is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, COPD, and PTSD are remanded due to the need for additional examinations. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the receipt of a new VA medical opinion.

The Board has denied service connection for COPD, residuals of a heart attack, hypertension, and gout. The decision is based on the lack of medical nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to COPD, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a pulmonary disability, COPD, calcified cavitary lung lesions, and granulomatous mass. The Board found that these conditions were not related to in-service exposure or service.

The Board has denied DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 due to the Veteran not meeting the criteria for total disability for ten years prior to death or continuously since active duty and at least five years before death. The appeal is also remanded for further review of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty about how to measure the Veteran's service-connected respiratory disability, specifically whether DLCO test results are appropriate given a private medical opinion suggesting asbestos exposure may have contributed to his COPD and emphysema.

The Board denied service connection for a lung disorder, sleep disorder, hypertension, heart disorder, gastrointestinal disorder, and psychiatric disorder. The appellant's claims were not supported by competent, credible evidence of record.,Service connection was not established as the preponderance of the evidence did not support a nexus to service.