COPD decisions — 2019

The Board partially granted the Veteran's Motion to Vacate, vacating the portion of the February 26, 2019 decision that denied service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, thoracolumbar or cervical spine disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for type II diabetes mellitus. The Board partially denied the Motion to Vacate regarding the claims granted by the February 26, 2019 decision.

The Board denied service connection for COPD and dermatomyositis, finding no evidence of in-service exposure to ionizing radiation or mustard gas, and the preponderance of the evidence did not support a nexus between current disabilities and service.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension and a pulmonary disorder related to Camp Lejeune exposure due to insufficient medical evidence. The Veteran is asked to provide information about post-service treatment and scheduled for VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for inactive pulmonary tuberculosis with COPD is denied. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is dismissed as moot due to the Veteran's 100% schedular rating for PTSD with major depression.

The Board has remanded the claims for asthma and COPD due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, which he asserts is related to asbestos exposure during his military service as a dental technician, has been remanded due to the need for further development and an examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claims, and did not find any of the conditions were related to service.

The Veteran's respiratory condition, including COPD and lung granulomas, is remanded for further examination. His hypertension claim is also remanded due to lack of a VA examination.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection of COPD due to his withdrawal. The issues of right ear hearing loss, OSA, hypertension, and PTSD remain on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's cause of death and DIC claim.

The Veteran's death was caused by metastatic malignant melanoma, with pulmonary fibrosis and COPD contributing to his death. The Board found that the Veteran had a service-connected respiratory disorder related to in-service asbestos exposure, which contributed to his death.

The Board has denied service connection for sleep apnea, COPD, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD due to herbicide exposure. The remaining issues are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction secondary to diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease secondary to diabetes mellitus, residuals of a stroke secondary to diabetes mellitus, and COPD due to outstanding medical records and additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's death at a private hospital is being reviewed for eligibility for VA burial benefits. The appellant contends that the Veteran was under VA-contracted care at the time of his death, but VA records are needed to confirm this. She must provide any additional medical records pertinent to her claim.

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

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for emphysema, COPD, and pneumonia due to outstanding records from service treatment and VA/privately held records. The Veteran's current respiratory conditions are also being evaluated.

The Board has granted the Veteran's requests to reopen his claims for service connection for right hand disability, residuals of a right foot injury, bilateral knee disability, and COPD. The claim for service connection for bilateral shoulder disability is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and cause of death, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his COPD and service or service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran withdrew his claims related to COPD, left lung scars, and restrictive lung disease prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Veteran's interstitial lung disease/asbestosis is rated at a 60 percent prior to December 6, 2017, and a 100 percent rating since then.