COPD decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of service connection for a respiratory condition, including as due to herbicide exposure. The claim will be reconsidered based on new evidence and an updated VA examination.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the rating for lung cancer from 100% to noncompensable was proper. The issue of a compensable rating for lung cancer residuals is remanded due to new evidence indicating recurrence of the condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for cervical spine disability was denied, as the evidence did not show forward flexion of the cervical spine to 15 degrees or less at any point during the appeal period.,The Veteran's COPD was rated noncompensably disabling prior to May 3, 2017, and 10 percent thereafter. The Board found no basis for an increased rating.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that COPD was not related to service and that there is no evidence linking any cancer diagnoses to exposure to ionizing radiation in service.

The Veteran's application to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been granted. The claims for service connection for myositis, cervical strain (neck disability), spinal stenosis, left knee degenerative arthritis, right knee degenerative arthritis, sinusitis, COPD, edema, GERD, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and nerve disability, an acquired psychiatric disability, and bronchitis have all been denied.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence, as the submitted evidence was not relevant or new.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his claims of COPD, emphysema, and asbestosis. The Board finds that a VA examination is needed to clarify the nature and etiology of these conditions.

Service connection for congestive heart failure (CHF) is granted as it is proximately due to service-connected diabetes mellitus, Type II.,Service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and erectile dysfunction (ED) are both remanded for further review.

The Board has denied service connection for COPD, sleep apnea, acid reflux/GERD, arthritis (including cervical spine and lumbar spine), and joint pain (including right shoulder, right elbow, bilateral hand disorder, and bilateral hip disorder) as these conditions are not related to active service or events therein.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of COPD, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his active service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claim for an asbestos-related lung condition should be remanded due to insufficient evidence. The VA examiner needs to review the Veteran's medical records and determine if his diagnosed conditions are related to his in-service exposure to asbestos.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a link between his current condition and his in-service lung collapse or exposure to chemicals.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for pulmonary fibrosis, COPD, and pulmonary nodule to include as due to exposure to asbestos because there is no evidence that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's COPD is related to his service, including potential asbestos exposure during his first period of active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and his military service or herbicide exposure. The Board also noted that the Veteran's COPD is related to tobacco use.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The claims for peritoneal mesothelioma, pleural mesothelioma, asbestosis scarring, and COPD are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and sleep apnea with mild intermittent asthma have been rated at 100 percent since February 20, 2014. As a result, the claim for Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is now moot.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, kidney disability, and COPD. The evidence did not support the Veteran's claims that these conditions were related to his military service.,Service connection was not granted because there was no medical evidence showing a link between any of the disabilities and the Veteran's time in active duty.

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