COPD decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disability, allergic rhinitis, asthma, COPD, and anemia due to new evidence received since the final September 2010 rating decision. The issues have not been resolved yet.

The Board has found the VA examiners' opinions inadequate and remanded for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from the December 2018 VA examiner regarding bilateral hearing loss and a new respiratory disability examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, left knee disability, Parkinson's disease, and PTSD due to incomplete records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, COPD, and PTSD were denied as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service. The Veteran's PTSD symptoms were found to be related to the General Rating Formula criteria.

The Veteran's cause of death was respiratory failure. The VA examiner found that the Veteran's COPD, which he had since 2007, was not related to his service-connected asbestos exposure and more likely due to tobacco smoking.

The Veteran's claim for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant is denied because his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria under VA regulations, and there is no evidence of an inhalation injury that would qualify him for this benefit.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of asthma and COPD due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claims for a right shoulder disorder and left ankle/foot disorder have been reopened, but the claim for respiratory disorder due to asbestos exposure has not.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for his current right shoulder disorder and left ankle/foot disorder. The VA will conduct further development including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's COPD and asthma are related to his service, specifically exposure to burn pits in Iraq. The VA examiner is requested to provide an addendum opinion considering the Veteran's lay statements about the onset of his symptoms during active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's respiratory disability claims, specifically her COPD and asbestosis.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are at least as likely as not related to noise exposure in service. Service connection for emphysema and COPD is remanded due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Veteran's respiratory disorders, including COPD and bronchitis, were not shown to be related to service or any presumptive exposure to herbicides. The VA examiner found the conditions more likely due to his smoking history.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, small cell lung cancer, and leukoplakia of the true vocal cords were denied as there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, previously characterized as COPD, is reopened. The appeal is remanded to determine the nature and etiology of his current respiratory disorders.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, including as secondary to PTSD, is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including COPD, Paget's Disease, metabolic disorders, hypertension, gastric ulcer, and right thyroid nodule/goiter, to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus due to additional substantive development being required.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of September 15, 2014 for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Board found that the correct date of service connection for tinnitus was September 15, 2014.,Service connection for high blood pressure is denied as there is no evidence showing it had its onset in service or is otherwise related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for COPD and bilateral hearing loss due to outstanding private and VA treatment records being needed.

The claims of service connection for COPD, skin cancer, a right hip disorder, post-operative residuals of an adrenal gland tumor, and prostate cancer are being remanded due to the submission of new and material evidence.,The Veteran's service treatment records show upper respiratory infections and chest pain in service. A VA examination is required to determine whether his COPD is related to service.