COPD decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD has been dismissed because the Veteran passed away during the appeal process.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for oral surgery residuals, COPD, and an eye disorder. The cases are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and to ensure all relevant evidence is considered.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates for his service-connected tinnitus, but has remanded several other issues including service connection for various conditions. The Veteran is also required to provide authorization for VA to obtain certain medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional consideration of new medical evidence, and the RO is instructed to consider this evidence in its review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, hypertension, sleep apnea, and idiopathic hypersomnia (claimed as narcolepsy) secondary to his service-connected asbestosis. The VA is instructed to obtain all outstanding records and provide addendum opinions addressing the etiology of each condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for asthma, COPD, acquired pneumonia, and squamous cell carcinoma due to exposure to radiation, mustard gas, and other toxic agents. The VA is required to obtain a VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for rheumatoid arthritis, left hip disability (claimed as left hip replacement), pulmonary disability (COPD), Raynaud's disease, skin cancer, and neuropathy of the lower extremities due to potential service connection based on herbicide exposure. The claims are being remanded for further development including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's COPD and asthma, including incomplete service treatment records. The Veteran will need a VA examination to determine if her current respiratory conditions are related to her military service.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's COPD is related to his exposure to airborne contaminants in service. As a result of resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, he is now entitled to service connection for COPD.

The Veteran's COPD is being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for an opinion on whether it was aggravated by his service-connected lung cancer or caused by herbicide exposure.

The Board dismissed the appeals for increased rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, service connection for COPD, and reopening of claim for right ear hearing loss. The decision also granted service connection for right ear hearing loss.

The Board dismissed the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and COPD due to asbestos exposure. The claim for tinnitus was granted, with the decision finding that the Veteran's current tinnitus is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and all issues on appeal have been dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, attributing it to his active service exposure to diesel exhaust fumes.

The Veteran's cause of death was determined to be COPD. The Board has remanded the case for a medical opinion regarding whether his COPD is related to service, including exposure to Agent Orange and other chemicals during service. Additionally, the Board requested an opinion on whether the use of tobacco products as a result of PTSD contributed substantially or materially to cause his death.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection. Service connection for a respiratory disorder, claimed as COPD and emphysema, is denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to in-service exposure to herbicides.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and depression due to the need for further evidentiary development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The right wrist disability, bilateral hearing loss (left ear only), tinnitus, cervical spine disorder, COPD, IBS, OSA, left hip disorder, headaches, and seizures were not shown in service or are not causally related to service.

Service connection for COPD and sleep apnea secondary to COPD is granted.,Service connection for a skin disorder (claimed as chronic mycotic fungal infection) is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for clarification of a June 2016 VA examination report regarding the Veteran's lung disability and pneumothoraxes.