COPD decisions — 2019

The Board has decided that the Veteran's OSA is related to his service-connected CAD or COPD, and remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for ischemic heart disease, tinnitus, COPD, emphysema, sleep apnea, hypertension, skin condition, headaches, memory loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The appeals are now pending with VA for further review.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for COPD has been dismissed because the Veteran and his representative withdrew their appeal.

The Veteran's cause of death was due to end stage COPD, which the VA examiner opined was caused by his service-connected PTSD. The Board found that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran’s PTSD contributed substantially or materially to the cause of his death and granted the claim for service connection for cause of death.

The Board has decided that the reduction of the evaluation for COPD from 100 percent to 60 percent was improper and has ordered a remand for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including lower back condition, left leg condition, left knee condition, bilateral hips conditions, bilateral ankle conditions, bilateral foot conditions, anxiety, depression, COPD, headaches, and loss of right kidney are denied.,Right knee and right leg conditions are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board dismissed the claim of service connection for congestive heart failure with cardiomyopathy. The issue of service connection for COPD is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD (also claimed as emphysema) is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and development of records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to burning fumes and asbestos, as well as the relationship between his COPD and service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and OSA, as these conditions may be related to his military service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's COPD was aggravated by service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for asthma, COPD, hypertensive vascular disease, and herpes simplex keratitis. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's respiratory disability, including COPD and emphysema, is related to service exposure to chemicals. However, due to outstanding records and need for a medical opinion, the case is being remanded.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's lung disorder, including COPD, is not service-connected. The case is being sent back for further investigation and examination.

The Veteran's death was related to his military service, specifically exposure to Agent Orange during his time in the Vietnam War. The claims for small cell lung cancer, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, COPD, phlebitis right leg, hypertension, and sleep apnea are being remanded due to further development needed regarding the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's service connection claim for COPD is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between his current condition and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for COPD and Asbestosis, finding that the objective medical evidence did not support a link to active service or exposure to asbestos.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations. The issues include recurrent skin disabilities, foot disabilities, arthritis of the knees, tinnitus, carpal tunnel syndromes, gout, hypertension, vascular disabilities, pulmonary disability, prostate disability, hernia disability, and left ear hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of the Veteran's service in Vietnam, which could impact his eligibility for presumptive service connection based on exposure to herbicide agents. The RO must verify the nature and extent of the Veteran’s service onboard the USS Black, including any deployments within the 12 nautical mile territorial sea of the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for COPD has been dismissed. The Board also remanded the issues of a compensable rating for asbestosis and TDIU.