COPD decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded several claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining audiometric test results and determining whether the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during service.,The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) is also being remanded for further examination.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for a respiratory disorder to include as due to asbestos exposure, but has remanded it for further development and an examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and lack of relevant VA treatment records. The issues include back, neck, asthma, COPD, sleep apnea, and cephalgia disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence received, but did not make a final determination on whether service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA opinion regarding whether any of the conditions causing or contributing to the Veteran's death were related to service.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions are inadequate for the claims of hearing loss, tinnitus, and respiratory disability. The Veteran's service connection claims will be remanded to allow for further development.

The Board denied the reopening of a claim for service connection for COPD, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted to support the claim.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development regarding service connection, including determining if the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his military service and whether he has a pulmonary disability related to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection, particularly in relation to exposure to Agent Orange for prostate cancer.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and OSA have been reopened, but the claims for back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension remain denied.,Service connection has been granted for depressive disorder as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD and pulmonary artery hypertension, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to her in-service exposure to airborne environmental hazards.

The veteran's spouse is not eligible for nonservice-connected death pension benefits due to her income exceeding the maximum allowable limit.

Service connection for a right rotator cuff tear, tonsillitis, asbestosis, asthma (claimed as lung condition), emphysema, and COPD is denied.,Nonservice-connected pension benefits are also denied.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of COPD is not related to his military service.

The application to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability is denied.,Service connection for a lumbar spine disability is denied.,Service connection for a right knee disability is denied.,Service connection for a left knee disability is denied.,Service connection for bilateral pes planus is granted.,Service connection for plantar fasciitis is denied.,Service connection for COPD is denied.,Service connection for sleep apnea is denied.,Service connection for a libido condition, to include erectile dysfunction, is denied.,Service connection for a disability manifested by insomnia is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's respiratory conditions.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension is remanded due to missed VA examinations and the possibility of homelessness. The RO must follow procedures for contacting homeless veterans and obtain all relevant medical records.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and reopening of his claims for low back disability, bronchitis, and obesity. The other conditions have been dismissed due to withdrawal or denial.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a respiratory disorder, including asthma and COPD, to include as due to exposure to asbestos is granted. The case is remanded for further development and examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to ongoing verification efforts regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand, which may be related to his COPD.