COPD decisions — 2019

The claim of service connection for a respiratory disorder is reopened and denied. The Veteran's current diagnosis of COPD is not related to his active military service.

The Veteran's petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for asbestosis is granted. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been submitted, allowing the reopening of his service connection claim for a respiratory disorder, including asbestosis and COPD. However, the Board also finds that additional medical examination and opinion are needed due to the inadequacy of the May 2017 VA examiner's opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for COPD, Peripheral Vascular Disease, Hearing Loss, Tinnitus, and a Skin Disability due to inadequate medical opinions and lack of development. The claims are being returned for further action.

The Veteran's request to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The request to reopen the claim of service connection for COPD, claimed as a lung disorder, was granted and remanded due to need for further development regarding exposure to asbestos.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection. The sinus condition, lung condition (to include COPD), hypertension, residuals of cold weather injury (to include arthritis), and psychiatric disorder (to include depression) issues are remanded for further development.,Additional medical records must be obtained to determine the nature and cause of any current sinus condition, lung condition (to include COPD), hypertension, residuals of cold weather injury (to include arthritis), and psychiatric disorder (to include depression).

The Veteran's asbestosis with calcified pleural plaques and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is currently rated at 10 percent, effective February 7, 2018. The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development regarding SSA records and for notification of TDIU requirements.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal.,Service connection for sleep apnea is denied because there is no competent and probative evidence of record to establish that the Veteran’s sleep apnea had its onset in service or is causally related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a pulmonary disorder, to include COPD, and a sleep disorder other than sleep apnea. The issues are related to exposure in Afghanistan.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection for a respiratory disorder and coronary artery disease should be remanded due to lack of proper examinations and consideration.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to comply with a prior Board remand. The Veteran's exposure to asbestos in service is acknowledged, but additional evidence is needed to determine if his COPD and asthma are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a skin disorder, sinusitis, respiratory disorders other than sinusitis (including COPD and bronchitis), and peripheral neuropathy will be further evaluated.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinion regarding whether the Veteran's COPD is related to asbestos exposure during service. The appellant must provide an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board dismissed the claims of service connection for COPD and a mouth condition due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient opinions regarding causation and aggravation of vertigo by service-connected bilateral hearing loss, and for an examination to determine if COPD is related to asbestos exposure or other in-service duties.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, finding that the evidence does not support a link to active service or asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lung condition, including COPD, mesothelioma and asbestosis is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding her claims of service connection for bilateral pes planus with fallen arches and a respiratory disorder, to include COPD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that it is not related to his in-service asbestos exposure or his service-connected lung disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is related to in-service asbestos exposure and other chemical and dust exposure, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death due to COPD, finding that it was less likely as not caused by or related to his PTSD. The primary cause of death was attributed to years of smoking and tobacco use.