COPD decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder other than asbestos plaques, an initial compensable rating for asbestos plaques in the left lower lobe, and TDIU due to incomplete medical opinions provided by the VA expert.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, to include as due to asbestos exposure, needs further examination and evidence before a decision can be made.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for hepatitis C, service connection for COPD, immune thrombocytopenic purpura, and gastrointestinal bleeding. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, erectile dysfunction, a thyroid disability, hypertension, and high cholesterol are denied.,Service connection is not granted as the evidence does not support an in-service occurrence or relationship to service for any of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's cause of death being listed as pneumonia and COPD, which are not directly service-connected conditions. However, given the Veteran's verified service in Vietnam and presumed exposure to herbicides, a VA opinion is needed to determine if his cause of death was related to herbicide exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory system disability, including asbestosis. The evidence did not support a diagnosis of asbestosis and there was no probative evidence linking COPD to service or claimed asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's COPD is granted as service connected, and the case of a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to new evidence received since his last Statement of the Case. The Veteran is requested to provide information about any recent medical care providers and updated VA treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death and burial benefits due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives. The claim will be further developed, including obtaining an etiological opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service and his death.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination and opinion regarding whether there is a nexus between the Veteran's COPD and active service. The Veteran served in combat in Vietnam, where he was exposed to exhaust fumes and burn pits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory condition, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's respiratory disability, including COPD with fibrosis, bronchiectasis, and asbestosis, was granted a 100% rating beginning March 30, 2017. For the period prior to that date, he received a 10% rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability, COPD, and low back disability. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the previously denied claim for migraine headaches was granted. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted, and service connection for fibromyalgia is granted with a rating of 70 percent effective December 11, 2018.,Service connection for COPD and hypertension are both denied. The Veteran's MDD is found to aggravate his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions including an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, respiratory disorder (COPD and emphysema), erectile dysfunction, memory loss, and heart disease. The evidence did not support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's service.

The Board has granted service connection for a chronic lung disease, diagnosed as asthma and COPD, due to exposure to gypsum dust during military service. The evidence is at least in equipoise that the current respiratory disabilities are related to this exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of COPD, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and military service or radiation exposure.

The Board denied service connection for costochondritis and lung disability (including spontaneous pneumothorax and COPD) due to a lack of evidence showing the conditions had their onset in or were related to service.,Specifically, the Veteran's current diagnoses of costochondritis and lung disabilities are not supported by medical evidence linking them to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, a sleep disorder (including sleep apnea), and headaches.,Service connection was not granted for any of the conditions due to lack of evidence linking them to service.

Service connection was denied for COPD, genital rash disorder, low back disorder, pituitary tumor disorder, and eye disorder as they were not shown in service or related to service.