COPD decisions — 2019

The Board has denied the claims for service connection for COPD and atrial fibrillation, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and active duty service. The Veteran's COPD was diagnosed over 40 years after discharge, and his atrial fibrillation was not related to herbicide exposure or any other presumptive condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include atrial fibrillation, COPD, GERD, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has dismissed all appeals for service connection and rating issues related to the Veteran's respiratory conditions, including COPD, asthma, chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, high cholesterol, hypertension, GERD, diabetes mellitus type II, rhinitis (claimed as allergies), and obstructive sleep apnea. The effective date of service connection remains March 18, 2011.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that none of the service-connected conditions contributed to his death. The examiner concluded that IHD was not present and did not contribute to COPD.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for COPD and also denied his request for a higher level of special monthly compensation. The Veteran was granted aid and attendance benefits, but he requested a higher rate based on additional health problems.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and COPD, finding that there was no current disability or in-service disease/injury related to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back and left hip disabilities are not service-connected, as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.,Regarding the breathing disability (including a nasal disability, sinus disability, and COPD), the Board found insufficient evidence to establish a direct link between the condition and service. However, it granted secondary service connection for sleep apnea due to PTSD, finding that the Veteran's PTSD likely aggravated his pre-existing sleep apnea.,The Board also granted secondary service connection for GERD, attributing its onset or exacerbation to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection for cause of death and entitlement to aid and attendance as a surviving spouse, finding that December 21, 2018 is the earliest date entitlement arose due to the submission of new and material evidence linking the Veteran’s death to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's cause of death, COPD, was not related to service or exposure to herbicides. The Board denied service connection for the cause of death and denied nonservice-connected burial benefits.

The Veteran's bilateral knee condition and COPD are not service-connected.,The Veteran's right inguinal scar s/p repair requires further evaluation.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy, COPD, sleep apnea, a left leg disability, and a cervical spine disability has been granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's lung cancer was caused by exposure to contaminated water from Camp Lejeune or air pollutants from oil and trash fires in the Persian Gulf War. The VA needs to conduct further research and provide a medical opinion on these issues.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for high cholesterol, COPD, carotid artery disease, and hypertension due to potential in-service exposure to hazardous substances.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the relationship between the Veteran's COPD and her service, including exposure to burn pits in Southwest Asia. The appeal will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD is reopened and remanded to determine if his in-service exposure caused or contributed to his current condition.

The Veteran's service connection claim for COPD has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The Board is remanding this issue for further development.,Service connection for IHD was denied as there is no evidence that it began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, finding no evidence of its onset in service or a causal relationship to service. The Veteran's smoking history was considered the primary cause of his condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for TDIU due to his service-connected COPD, finding that he is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to his death.