COPD decisions — 2019

The Veteran's respiratory condition, including COPD and chronic bronchitis, is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to his service in Vietnam where he was exposed to herbicide agents. The current evidence does not establish presumptive service connection due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's initial service connection for asbestosis has been granted, but he is seeking a higher rating. The Board has decided to remand the case due to the Veteran not being contacted for an examination related to his asbestosis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of new evidence. The effective dates for PTSD and headaches remain denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for emphysema, COPD, and hypertension due to inadequate opinions in the November 2018 VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's PTSD caused or contributed to his COPD and death. The VA examiner did not provide opinions for parts (c) and (d) of the remand directives.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for declining eye sight and lung damage are denied. The Board also found that the Veteran's tinnitus, lumbar spine traumatic arthritis, left hip limitations, rib fractures, bilateral hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, chest wall scar, and eczematoid dermatitis need further examination to determine their current severity. Additionally, the effective dates for service connection of some conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of a nexus between the claimed conditions and active service.,No effective dates are granted as all claims predate May 3, 2016.

The Board has dismissed the appeals of service connection for a cervical spine disorder and asthma. The remaining issues have been remanded for further action.

The Board has granted the reopening of the Veteran's claims for service connection for Hepatitis C and ED, but denied service connection for DDD of the lumbar spine, COPD, seizures, MDD, and hypertension. The new evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disability, including COPD and asbestosis, finding that there was no evidence of such disabilities beginning during or being related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to a request by the Veteran to participate in VA's RAMP program, and VBA did not process this request before transferring the appeal to the Board.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's respiratory disorders, and additional records are needed.

The Veteran's tinnitus, MDD with alcohol substance abuse, and right ear hearing loss have been granted service connection. However, the effective dates for these conditions are October 11, 2016.,The claims of service connection for tendinitis, left ear hearing loss, glaucoma, a thoracolumbar spine disability, COPD, hypertension, carpal tunnel syndrome, sleep apnea, and stomach ulcer remain pending. Further development is needed to determine the current status of these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for collapsed lungs and COPD is denied. The case is remanded for further development regarding his claim of compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's death and service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for COPD, OSA, hypertension, GERD, and a skin condition are granted. The effective dates for these grants are September 30, 2013. A TDIU is granted from April 1, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of pulmonary tuberculosis (inactive) is dismissed. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection and etiology of respiratory disorders.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to asbestos and/or poisonous gases, which may be related to his COPD. A VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran’s COPD.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether COPD, which was listed as the cause of death on the Veteran's death certificate, is related to service. The appellant and her representative argue that the Veteran had chronic lung issues in service leading to his death from COPD.

The Veteran's COPD is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to his presumed herbicide exposure in Vietnam.