COPD decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cause of death, finding that the Veteran's COPD is at least as likely as not related to service. The Board also found that his myelodysplastic syndrome, which was the ultimate cause of his death, is at least as likely as not related to service. Full burial benefits are now warranted due to this decision.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to address the appellant's claim for dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) under section 1151 of the U.S. Code, as well as her service connection claim for the cause of the Veteran’s death. The case is being remanded for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The claim for reopening service connection for COPD was denied.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and COPD, finding that the Veteran's current conditions did not have a direct link to his military service or any service-connected condition.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD effective from August 31, 2016. The Veteran's representative filed an informal claim on June 14, 2013, and the RO considered this as a pending claim until the Veteran submitted a formal application in August 2016.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that there is no evidence linking his current diagnosis to his military service or any exposure during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lung disorder, including COPD, left lower lung scarring, and adenocarcinoma of the left lung, as claimed due to asbestos exposure. The preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions began during service or were related to in-service asbestos exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's respiratory disorders, specifically chronic bronchitis and COPD.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and drusen optic nerve disability due to herbicide exposure should be remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for tinnitus, hearing loss, and COPD to allow for further development of evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for COPD, coronary artery disease, jungle rot of the feet, and hypertension due to service connection issues. The Veteran was exposed to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete development of records from Tinker Air Force Base and Sampson AFB, which may be relevant to the Veteran's claim for service connection for pulmonary disease. The AOJ is instructed to request these records and provide a medical opinion regarding the etiology of any current pulmonary disease.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for an eye injury and lung condition have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeals.,New evidence has reopened his claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, but the Board has not found a current disability or established a link to service for all of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral interstitial fibrosis due to asbestosis is granted, but his COPD is denied. The case for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for COPD as the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of COPD and his nonspecific interstitial lung disease is already service-connected.,The Board has remanded the claims for an eye disability, recurrent cysts to include scars due to removal of cysts, dermatitis, skin cancer, BPH, GERD, CKD, and back disability as there are factual questions regarding herbicide exposure in Thailand and fuel exhaust, oil, chemicals, or herbicides during active service.,The Board has remanded the claims for an eye disability, recurrent cysts to include scars due to removal of cysts, dermatitis, skin cancer, BPH, GERD, CKD, and back disability as there are factual questions regarding herbicide exposure in Thailand and fuel exhaust, oil, chemicals, or herbicides during active service.,The Board has remanded the claims for an eye disability, recurrent cysts to include scars due to removal of cysts, dermatitis, skin cancer, BPH, GERD, CKD, and back disability as there are factual questions regarding herbicide exposure in Thailand and fuel exhaust, oil, chemicals, or herbicides during active service.,The Board has remanded the claims for an eye disability, recurrent cysts to include scars due to removal of cysts, dermatitis, skin cancer, BPH, GERD, CKD, and back disability as there are factual questions regarding herbicide exposure in Thailand and fuel exhaust, oil, chemicals, or herbicides during active service.,The Board has remanded the claims for an eye disability, recurrent cysts to include scars due to removal of cysts, dermatitis, skin cancer, BPH, GERD, CKD, and back disability as there are factual questions regarding herbicide exposure in Thailand and fuel exhaust, oil, chemicals, or herbicides during active service.,The Board has remanded the claims for an eye disability, recurrent cysts to include scars due to removal of cysts, dermatitis, skin cancer, BPH, GERD, CKD, and back disability as there are factual questions regarding herbicide exposure in Thailand and fuel exhaust, oil, chemicals, or herbicides during active service.,The Board has remanded the claims for an eye disability, recurrent cysts to include scars due to removal of cysts, dermatitis, skin cancer, BPH, GERD, CKD, and back disability as there are factual questions regarding herbicide exposure in Thailand and fuel exhaust, oil, chemicals, or herbicides during active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have a bilateral foot, right leg, or left leg disability during his lifetime. The appellant's statements regarding these disabilities are not considered competent evidence as they do not demonstrate medical expertise.,The Veteran was diagnosed with CAD in 1999, which is more than 37 years after his discharge from service. There is no evidence linking the diagnosis to his service or any incident therein.

The Veteran's claims for right thumb sprain, COPD, and flatfeet have been denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.,Sleep apnea, right knee instability (post-meniscectomy), right knee degenerative arthritis (post-meniscectomy), and left knee tendinitis are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a respiratory disorder, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease due to asbestos exposure, is denied as there was no in-service diagnosis or relationship between the current condition and service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a chronic respiratory disorder, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current COPD and his time in service.