COPD decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claim due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's emphysema is at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected right lobe bronchiectasis with COPD.

The Veteran's death is remanded for a new VA opinion to determine if his service-connected conditions contributed to his death. The burial benefits claim is also remanded due to its inextricability with the cause of death claim.

The Veteran's COPD compensable rating claim is withdrawn.,The effective date for TDIU prior to January 27, 2016 is denied.,A staged disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD prior to April 1, 2016 is granted and a staged rating in excess of 70 percent after February 17, 2016 is denied.,Service connection for sleep apnea, right knee disability, and diabetes are all denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including as due to exposure to herbicide agents. The VA examiner is requested to review all pertinent records and provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that the disorder manifested during or was caused by active service, including the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disorder, broken sternum, left shoulder disorder, vision disorder, COPD, acquired psychiatric disorder, and jaw disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.,There is no competent medical evidence linking any of the claimed disorders to the Veteran's time in active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including emphysema, COPD, bronchitis and chronic upper respiratory infections, finding that there was no evidence of in-service exposure or injury related to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, COPD, and hernias have been remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The appeal for service connection for a bilateral knee disability is dismissed.,Service connection for COPD and prostate cancer are denied as the preponderance of evidence does not support a link to in-service asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, cirrhosis of the liver, Hepatitis C, and a respiratory disorder other than COPD (lung cancer) are all denied. The claim for COPD is not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.,Service connection for lung cancer and a respiratory disorder other than COPD are also denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, prostate cancer, neck cancer, low back condition, and COPD are all remanded for further examination and opinion. The appeals will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for COPD and bronchitis with asthma due to a lack of reasonable efforts by VA to obtain relevant records, specifically VA treatment records from Cleveland, Ohio VAMC dated June 1969 to December 31, 1979.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD should be remanded due to conflicting diagnoses and need for further clarification on the nature and etiology of his pulmonary disease.

The Veteran's respiratory disabilities, including COPD and aspiration pneumonia, are not related to exposure to herbicide agents or service. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disability, including COPD and emphysema, due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange during service. Additionally, the claim for a higher rating for prostate cancer residuals is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence on whether COPD is related to service, specifically PTSD and exposure to Agent Orange. A VA examination is needed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic respiratory disability other than COPD, including bronchitis, is denied as there is no evidence of a separate and distinct chronic respiratory disability.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, gastric cancer, prostate cancer, and squamous cell carcinoma, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service or asbestos exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to hazardous materials during service and the etiology of his pulmonary disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and respiratory problems, as well as PTSD, have been reopened. The Board has ordered remand of these issues due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional development and examination, including seeking medical evidence from a private pulmonologist and conducting an examination to determine if the Veteran's current lung disorder is related to service.