COPD decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death, and the claim for individual unemployability is also dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for asthma and COPD, finding that the evidence did not show a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for eye disabilities and a respiratory disability due to inadequate examinations. The AOJ is instructed to obtain new opinions under the equipoise standard regarding radiation and secondhand smoke exposure.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for shortness of breath, diagnosed as COPD, due to exposure to herbicide agents or secondary to his service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD). The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's COPD is related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for the cause of death, finding that there was no evidence to support exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand and thus denying any potential service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD and emphysema, finding that his current respiratory conditions are more likely due to a long history of tobacco use rather than exposure to asbestos during military service.

The claim of entitlement to service connection for COPD has been reopened and granted. The appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine if it was aggravated by his service-connected pleural lung disease with COPD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional development, including medical examinations and evidence collection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for COPD and asbestosis due to insufficient evidence, including inadequate pulmonary function test results. The Veteran needs additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his COPD and the severity of his asbestosis.

The Board has not been able to determine the reason for the Veteran's separation from service and needs clarification. Additionally, the AOJ must obtain his complete medical records from his time in active service, including hospitalizations due to ash and dust exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral vascular disease (claimed as peripheral artery disease) and COPD and pulmonary emphysema, status post double lung transplant is denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a direct relationship to service or any service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's right shoulder and cervical spine disabilities, as well as a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current low back disability.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death, finding that COPD and atrial fibrillation were not related to his active service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical records and an updated opinion from a VA examiner regarding the Veteran's lung disability.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim for service connection of COPD but denied all other claims due to lack of new and material evidence. The Veteran's sleep apnea, tinnitus, neuropathy of upper extremities, and left lower extremity are not related to service.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 60 percent evaluation for COPD and his TDIU benefits effective September 1, 2017, based on evidence showing improvement in functional capacity.

The Veteran's pleural plaques and COPD are being remanded for further evaluation due to new evidence of increased severity since the last VA examination in June 2018.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including arthritis with bone disease, skin cancer and ulcers, allergies, pulmonary disorder/COPD, birth defects, and thyroid disease. The cases are being referred for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for COPD, oropharyngeal cancer, and renal failure due to chemotherapy.,Service connection is being denied for COPD as it is not related to service.