COPD decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, anxiety, and COPD are remanded. The maxilla fracture rating is also remanded. The TDIU claim is deferred due to the ongoing maxilla fracture rating issue.

The Board denied service connection for COPD as the evidence did not support a finding that it began during service or was related to an in-service injury or disease, including exposure to chemicals.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for asbestosis, a pulmonary disorder to include COPD, and tinnitus due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's asbestosis with pleural plaques is rated at 0 percent, which is the lowest possible rating under VA regulations.,Service connection for COPD secondary to service-connected asbestosis was denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for lung disability, colon polyps, TBI (head injury), seizures, bilateral athlete’s foot, and kidney disease. The Board dismissed these appeals.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a pulmonary condition, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, rhinitis, and bronchitis, is remanded due to the need for additional evidence. The Board will request an opinion regarding whether these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for respiratory disorders, nasal polyps, and a low back disorder due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including obstructive sleep apnea with COPD and irritable bowel syndrome, have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical opinions and incomplete information regarding the Veteran's respiratory conditions, including histoplasmosis. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his variously diagnosed respiratory disorders.

The Board has denied service connection for COPD and granted an initial 20 percent rating for erectile dysfunction. The case is remanded for a VA examination to determine the etiology of sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for residuals of Agent Orange exposure, including peripheral neuropathy and tremors. A VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and remanded the other issues due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to in-service acoustic trauma, but his psychiatric disability, COPD, and atopic allergic conjunctivitis with dry eyes are not yet determined.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that there is no direct link between his in-service surgeries and current COPD. The evidence also did not support a secondary service connection due to his service-connected deviated septum.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate compliance with previous directives regarding chemical exposure and respiratory disability etiology. The Veteran's service connection claim for a respiratory disability, including asthma, restrictive airway disease, and COPD, is now pending again.

The Veteran's COPD is not related to his service or service-connected disabilities, and the Board denies his claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected pleural lung disease with COPD and pulmonary nodule, right lower lung. The VA examiners concluded that there is no causal link between the Veteran’s service-connected condition and his current sleep apnea.

The Board has denied service connection for COPD and remanded the SMC claim based on need for aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded multiple issues related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and MDD), leukemia, COPD, AC joint arthritis of the left shoulder, urinary frequency, erectile dysfunction, sleep apnea, renal artery stenosis, peripheral neuropathy, cervical spine disability, hypertension, and lumbar spine disability. The Veteran is required to attend VA examinations for these issues.

The Board has found that the VA examination is inadequate for adjudication purposes and has ordered further development, including a new examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed respiratory condition.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected asthma.