COPD decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal of the denial of service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as a result of exposure to herbicides has been dismissed. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and higher ratings due to incomplete records, including missing STRs and audiometric test results. The Veteran is also required to provide additional private treatment records.

The Veteran's lung disability, specifically asthma and COPD, is being remanded for further examination as the previous VA opinions did not consider his probable asbestos exposure during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is related to his service-connected asbestosis and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to insufficient evidence or procedural issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including coronary artery disease, diabetes, chronic kidney failure, COPD, and PTSD, to include as secondary to exposure to certain herbicide agents. The Veteran's service in Vietnam is being verified, and a VA examination will be scheduled if his presence during the applicable time period and location is confirmed.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, finding that the Veteran's tobacco use was more likely the cause of his condition than any in-service exposure or military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, left leg radiculopathy, COPD, and PAD has been granted.,New evidence received since the last final denial of these claims raises reasonable possibility of substantiating them.

The Veteran's lung condition, including COPD and pleural disease with plaques, is related to his in-service exposure to asbestos. The Board has ordered additional development to verify the Veteran’s reported exposure to asbestos during service.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the Veteran's current condition and his military service or herbicide exposure.

Service connection for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted with an effective date of January 8, 2010. The Veteran's claim for service connection for eczema is dismissed as moot. Service connection for COPD and psychiatric disorder are reopened. Service connection for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is established.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims. The Veteran's claim for a right ankle condition is reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions and verifying periods of active duty. The Veteran's respiratory disability is being considered as a direct service connection claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Crohn's disease, COPD, and PTSD were denied. The claim for accrued benefits for PTSD was granted with a disability rating of 50%. The Veteran was also granted TDIU based on his PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's cause of death was related to asbestos exposure during his military service. The VA is instructed to obtain additional medical opinions and treatment records.

The Veteran's service connection for diabetes mellitus is granted, while the denial of COPD and remand for further review on herbicide exposure are noted.

The appeal for hypertension is dismissed. The respiratory disorder, including COPD and asbestosis, secondary to asbestos exposure, is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected asthma and COPD with history of pneumonia and bronchitis rated at 60 percent is not sufficient to meet the criteria for a TDIU rating as his disability does not render him incapable of maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's COPD and OSA have been granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected asthma.,Service connection for a deviated nasal septum has been denied, and the Veteran's compensable rating for chronic sinusitis remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, a rating in excess of 10 percent for a bilateral foot disability, and service connection for brain disease have been dismissed. The claim for service connection for sleep disorder has been reopened, as well as the claims for chest tightness with muscle spasms and short term memory loss.