COPD decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service connection claims for sarcoidosis, cervical spine disorder, and various other conditions have been reopened. The Board finds that the evidence supports a link between these conditions and the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's cause of death was not service-connected, as his conditions were not related to his military service or exposure to herbicides. The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, but has remanded it for additional development to obtain medical records and determine if her current respiratory disorders are related to her in-service treatment or exposure to toxins at Fort McClellan.

Service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and migraine headaches is denied.,The petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disorder, hypertension, prostate disorder, acquired psychiatric disorders (including PTSD, depression, and anxiety disorder), and respiratory disorders (including asbestosis and COPD) have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal.

The Veteran's appeals for COPD, sleep apnea secondary to CAD, hypertension secondary to CAD, bilateral hearing loss, and CAD are being remanded due to the Veteran requesting to participate in VA’s test program RAMP. The case will be returned to VBA for a RAMP rating decision.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's cause of death due to COPD and related conditions, as well as denial of special monthly compensation for a surviving spouse by reason of being housebound or based on the need of regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for emphysema/COPD. The Veteran's current COPD/emphysema is being remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus, headaches, COPD, hypertension, bipolar disorder, alcohol use disorder, and cannabis use disorder are all denied as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or caused by an in-service injury, event, or illness, nor is there sufficient evidence to establish their relationship to service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that additional development is required for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including back disability, right and left knee disabilities, respiratory disability, DM, skin disability, and dental disability. The appeals are being remanded to allow for further examination and consideration.

The Board has determined that the reduction in the Veteran's COPD rating from 30% to 10%, effective November 1, 2016, and further to noncompensable, effective July 1, 2018, was proper. The Veteran's COPD is rated as 30% disabling based on FEV-1/FVC ratio.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination report and a need for updated treatment records. The Veteran will be scheduled for a new VA examination to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of any respiratory disorder found to be present.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence to rebut the presumption of soundness regarding her COPD. The VA examiners concluded that the Veteran’s COPD is more likely due to civilian occupational exposure and smoking rather than her military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's COPD is related to his in-service asbestos exposure, and because the TDIU issue may be significantly impacted by the outcome of the service connection claim.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased schedular rating exceeding 60 percent for service-connected bronchial asthma is dismissed. The Veteran's claim for TDIU due to service-connected bronchial asthma, effective November 4, 2014, is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that there was no credible evidence linking his current condition to his military service or asbestos exposure. The VA examiners provided conclusive opinions against a link between COPD and service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, finding no evidence linking the condition to his military service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for emphysema, gout, macular edema with central vein occlusion (claimed as visual loss), COPD, and arteriosclerosis obliterans (claimed as peripheral artery disease) are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for COPD due to new and material evidence, but remanded for further development as an addendum opinion is needed.