COPD decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's respiratory disability, diagnosed as asbestosis and COPD, finding that it is related to his in-service asbestos exposure. The appeal was not about service connection at all.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records, as well as an addendum opinion from a clinician regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's lung disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, hyperlipidemia, esophageal varices, right inguinal hernia, and hydrocele, all of which were related to exposure to jet fuel in service. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or to exposure to jet fuel.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, has been reopened and is remanded.,Service connection for a prostate condition is denied as there is no credible evidence linking the current condition to his military service.,Service connection for bilateral foot condition/arches, hypertension, COPD, migraine headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) are all remanded due to insufficient examination or opinion regarding their etiology.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is currently being evaluated as a new claim since it was reopened.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence to reopen the claims of service connection for pilonidal cyst, COPD, collapsed lung status post bronchoscopy, pneumonia, pericarditis (also claimed as heart infection), hypertension, benign prostate hypertrophy, myelodysplastic syndrome, myelogenous leukemia, status post-transplant with immune suppression, graft versus host disease, and diabetes mellitus has not been received. As a result, the claims are denied.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and remanded the issue of service connection for COPD.

The Board has granted service connection for emphysema and COPD as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bronchial asthma, resolving all doubts in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to their death.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred in service, but his peripheral neuropathy of bilateral upper and lower extremities is aggravated by his diabetes mellitus. His bilateral ear injury claim has no current evidence of a disability other than hearing loss and tinnitus. His chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with emphysema is not related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's respiratory disability. The Veteran is also not entitled to new and material evidence for his OSA claim.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea to include as secondary to PTSD, but denied all other claims due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions. The tinnitus rating remains at 10%.

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

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is granted a 100% rating, and service connection for various conditions including pulmonary disorder, cervical spine disorder, bilateral upper extremity nerve disorder, bilateral hip/thigh disorder, and bilateral foot disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD was not found to be severe enough to require regular aid and attendance or render him permanently housebound, as his need for assistance was attributed to non-service connected disabilities. The claim is denied.

The Veteran's petition to reopen her claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability has been granted. Her claims for right knee, COPD, heart arrhythmia, and kidney conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tendinitis of the bilateral arms and left leg/calf, as well as his claim for service connection for COPD, were granted. The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service-connected COPD contributed to his death, but needs further clarification from a pulmonologist.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for COPD, OSA, and DM due to inadequate examinations conducted without full understanding of the Veteran's exposure to asbestos. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it relies on the disposition of these service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if service connection can be established for tongue cancer, COPD, asthma, and diabetes mellitus type II.