COPD decisions — 2019

The Board has expanded the appeal to include all respiratory disorders and has ordered a VA examination for the Veteran's claimed respiratory disability, including COPD. The examiner is asked to assess whether the disorder began in service or is otherwise related to service exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities because his single service-connected condition (COPD) did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for spinal degeneration with upper and lower back pain, hearing loss, COPD, laryngeal cancer, and skin cancer for further development. The claims are being held in abeyance until VA determines whether the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during service.

The claim of service connection for COPD, to include as due to asbestos exposure is remanded. The Veteran needs a VA examination and the AOJ should review any report to ensure it is in complete compliance with the directives.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examination and incomplete development of exposure to lead paint.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD due to exposure to asbestos, finding that there is no relationship between his in-service exposure and his current condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including COPD and URTIs, as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's cause of death, chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD), was not related to service or a service-connected disability. The Board denied the claim for service connection for cause of death and denied DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

The Veteran's lung and heart conditions are remanded for further examination to determine if they are related to his in-service asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's unauthorized private hospitalization for nonservice-connected conditions was not eligible for payment or reimbursement due to the lack of prior VA medical services within 24 months preceding the treatment.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions including bilateral ankle, foot, back, respiratory (COPD), cardiovascular disorders, and PTSD as there was no evidence of a nexus to active duty service.

The Veteran's COPD was granted a 100% disability rating prior to August 16, 2012. The issue of TDIU is dismissed as moot due to the Veteran being in receipt of the maximum benefit for his service-connected COPD.

The Veteran's death was not related to a disease or injury incurred in service, and his sole service-connected disability (PTSD) did not contribute to his death. Therefore, the appeal for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD has been granted, with the effective date set at June 23, 2017.,Service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome is also granted, but an earlier effective date prior to June 23, 2017, was denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic bronchitis, COPD, and bilateral lower extremities peripheral neuropathy due to Agent Orange exposure. The claims are being remanded for a VA examination and opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus but denied service connection for a respiratory disability, to include COPD.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical records from a VA clinic. The Veteran's COPD is being reviewed again based on these new records.

The Veteran's PTSD, ischemic heart disease, and COPD are granted service connection. The skin cancer claim is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between any lung disabilities and service, including asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's service connection claims for cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, left hand polyarthritis, right hand polyarthritis, left foot rheumatoid arthritis (due to Agent Orange exposure), and right foot rheumatoid arthritis (due to Agent Orange exposure) have been denied. The Board found that the disorders are not related to service.