COPD decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on all issues has been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his appeal by his representative prior to his death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic respiratory condition during service and noting that his smoking history outweighed any potential exposure to unknown substances in service.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and lung disease. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment prior to his death.

The Veteran's cause of death was not attributable to service, any incident of service, or a service-connected disability. The appellant's claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is also denied as the Veteran did not meet the criteria for total disability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed all claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is at least as likely as not related to his service, specifically exposure to chlorine gas and asbestos. As a result, the claim for service connection for COPD is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Marshfield Clinic, Eau Claire Center on March 14, 2016 due to lack of emergency condition and feasible availability of VA facilities.

The Veteran's lung disabilities, including asbestosis with asthma and COPD, were rated at 30 percent from December 8, 2011 to June 29, 2012. The rating was increased to 30 percent effective June 29, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have been granted. Service connection for interstitial pulmonary fibrosis has not been established, as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for COPD, asthma, and obstructive sleep apnea due to incomplete evidence. The Veteran will need to provide additional medical opinions regarding his exposure to asbestos, herbicide agents, concrete dust, silica fibers, and creosote vapors, as well as obtain updated VA treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current knee conditions are not related to his service-connected lumbar spine osteoarthritis.,Service connection was also denied for COPD, with the Board concluding that it is not related to service.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to side effects of medications prescribed by VA is remanded as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding the causation and proximate causation of his additional disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that none of the conditions causing or contributing to his death were linked to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for emphysema and respiratory disorders is reopened, but the appeal remains on remand due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of his current diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the claims for lung conditions and bilateral foot, leg, and knee disabilities due to conflicting medical opinions and incomplete records. The Veteran's smoking history is unclear, and VA must obtain SSA and private treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for VR&E benefits is remanded due to the need for a complete vocational rehabilitation file and additional evaluations. The Veteran also needs to provide evidence of unsuccessful attempts at employment in his chosen fields.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and dismissed the DIC claim under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's cause of death due to multiple sclerosis, and found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim. The decision also determined that there was no CUE in the denial.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a respiratory disability, to include COPD, is denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition that was caused by his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected COPD has not been manifested by post-bronchodilator Forced Expiatory Volume in one second (FEV-1) worse than 80 percent predicated value, and therefore, the criteria for entitlement to an initial compensable evaluation have not been met.