COPD decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's COPD is related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange).

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

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board granted service connection for COPD, finding the evidence at least in equipoise as to whether it is related to the Veteran's active service exposure to asbestos.,Service connection was denied for malignant skin neoplasms (skin cancer), with the Board concluding there is no link between the condition and service.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, finding that the preponderance of evidence is against a link to service or asbestos exposure.

The Board has dismissed the service connection claims for gastrointestinal disability and COPD due to the Veteran's death during the appeal process.

The Veteran's COPD was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and the Board denied service connection for this condition.,For the whole period on appeal, radiculopathy caused moderate incomplete paralysis of both upper extremities. The Veteran received a rating of 40 percent prior to March 5, 2019 for right upper extremity radiculopathy and a rating of 30 percent after that date for left upper extremity radiculopathy.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability was rated as 10 percent before March 5, 2019 and 30 percent thereafter. The Board found no evidence to warrant higher ratings based on the severity of symptoms.,Migraine headaches were not manifested by very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's petition to reopen service connection for hearing loss in the left ear was denied as there is no current disability. The claim for erectile dysfunction was denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service or a service-connected condition.,Service connection for COPD and obstructive sleep apnea were remanded, requiring further examination and evaluation by VA clinicians.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including asthma, COPD and lung nodules is remanded due to the need for verification of service in the Southwest Asia theater. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with this issue.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a new opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has remanded multiple issues including increased ratings for the back, service connection for COPD, and initial ratings for sciatica and femoral impairment of both lower extremities. The Veteran's claim for TDIU is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with these other claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, bilateral hearing loss, and TDIU are denied. The case is remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected right lower lung lobectomy has aggravated his COPD, and the Board grants service connection for a respiratory disorder (COPD). The Veteran is not eligible for specially adapted housing or special home adaptation due to lack of qualifying inhalation injury.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death, and no service connection or rating is assigned.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between his disabilities and his service-connected unspecified trauma and stressor-related disorder. The Veteran is also required to provide additional records from J.B., a medical professional, who provided research indicating a relationship between his disabilities and his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeal for PTSD was dismissed due to his withdrawal. The issues of higher rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for laceration scars and bullet wound scar, and lung disorder were remanded.

The Board has remanded the DIC claim due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's causes of death are related to his service-connected residuals of a resolved left pneumothorax.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is related to his in-service asbestos exposure and grants service connection for COPD.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and melanoma cancer due to incomplete records, need for VA examinations, and need to obtain complete service personnel records.

The Veteran's COPD is being remanded for a VA examination to determine its etiology and whether it began during or was caused by his military service.