COPD decisions — 2019

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is currently rated as zero percent disabling, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss has been denied because there is no evidence of current hearing loss in this ear.

The Veteran's cause of death was attributed to respiratory failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which the Board found not related to his military service or herbicide exposure. The service-connected conditions did not contribute substantially to his death.

The Veteran's claim for hypertension has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection is denied.,Service connection for COPD is denied as there is no evidence linking it to service, including exposure to Agent Orange.,An acquired psychiatric disorder (likely to include PTSD and Depression) is not service-connected as there is insufficient evidence connecting current symptoms to military service.,Thrombosis, poor circulation, and edema are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, throat cancer, and a skin condition due to Agent Orange exposure. The appeals were not reopened as new and material evidence was not submitted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lung disability, specifically COPD and asbestosis, should be remanded for further evaluation. Additionally, the heart disability needs to be evaluated again due to its worsening over time. The TDIU and DEA effective date claims are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, post abdominal aneurysm, and kidney disease stage III were denied as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active service. The Board found that the Veteran did not have any of the diseases associated with herbicide exposure.

The appeal pertaining to the issue of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for low back disability is dismissed. The Veteran's currently diagnosed COPD and asthma are granted as service-connected due to asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. A 100% rating for COPD/Asthma from August 15, 2012 onward is granted. The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression) is remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a left arm disability, right arm condition, bilateral hearing loss, chronic otitis media (claimed as ear condition), tinnitus, and COPD are all denied.,Service connection is not granted for any of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's COPD with asthma was rated at 30 percent, but the Board found that a higher rating is not warranted based on his current symptoms.

Service connection for COPD is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied due to lack of current disability.,Service connection for an unspecified mood disorder with a substance abuse disorder (claimed as an acquired mental disorder) is remanded.

The Veteran's need for aid and attendance or housebound status was not established due to his service-connected disabilities, as the majority of his physical limitations were caused by nonservice-connected conditions. The Board found that SMC is not warranted based on either the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, finding that there is no evidence linking any diagnosed respiratory disorder to active duty service or in-service exposure to asbestos.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical records and a need for an opinion regarding the Veteran's cause of death. The Appellant is seeking service connection for cause of death, but there are no private or VA treatment records available. Additionally, verification of in-service herbicide exposure is needed.

The Board denied service connection for a gastric disorder and respiratory disorder, as well as an initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD. The Veteran's TDIU was granted but only up to December 14, 2015, and SMC at the housebound rate was granted effective March 9, 2016.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that COPD was not related to military service and thus not service-connected.

The Veteran's initial rating for tinnitus was denied, and his COPD was granted with staged ratings. The issue of hearing loss is remanded, and the TDIU claim is deferred.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, so the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's son, J.R., was found to be permanently incapable of self-support prior to the age of 18 due to various disabilities including learning disability, severe dyslexia, visual disorder, COPD with bronchial asthma attacks, and anxiety. The Board granted recognition as a helpless child.

The Board denied service connection for COPD and heart disease claimed as atrial fibrillation (AFIB) due to exposure to DDT, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.