COPD decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and clarification of the Veteran's lung cancer status, as well as for a VA medical opinion regarding his COPD. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee arthritis, respiratory disorders including pulmonary emphysema and kidney disorder were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service onset or continuity of symptoms post-service.

The Board denied service connection for COPD and epididymitis as there was no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand several claims related to the Veteran's exposure to mustard gas, herbicide agents, and/or other chemicals and/or toxins. The claims for prostate cancer, respiratory disorder (COPD), sleep apnea, hypertension, sinusitis, nerve condition, and headaches are being reviewed due to possible exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, bronchial asthma, and COPD due to additional evidence that may be available from his employment with the U.S. Marshals Service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether in-service respiratory conditions contributed to the Veteran's death from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that there was no medical evidence linking his current condition to his in-service pneumonia and noting a history of smoking. The Board concluded that the preponderance of the evidence did not support the claim.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for COPD and skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma) due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their relationship to service. The Veteran is asked to undergo further examinations to determine if his conditions are related to his military duties.

The Veteran's vocal cord disability and kidney disease are denied as not related to service or secondary to his service-connected coronary artery disease.,Service connection for COPD, erectile dysfunction, and hypothyroidism is denied as these conditions did not begin during service or are not related to a service-connected condition.,Coronary artery disease is rated at 30% from September 11, 2001 to August 7, 2002, 60% from December 1, 2002 to May 24, 2004, and 30% thereafter. The Veteran's PTSD rating is denied as not meeting the criteria for a higher rating.,The effective date for service connection of mycosis fungoides was denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's service connection claim for pulmonary fibrosis, but has remanded his claims for a respiratory disorder other than pulmonary fibrosis due to exposure to chemicals.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD as he withdrew his appeal.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back strain and a heart condition, as well as pes planus, were granted. Service connection was also denied for hyperlipidemia.

The Veteran's death was due to myocardial infarction, COPD, emphysema and lung carcinoma. The cause of these conditions is unclear as the Veteran had no pending claims at the time of his death. His exposure to asbestos during service is not established. The claim for VA death pension benefits is also remanded due to insufficient information about the number of dependents.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to further development being necessary, including obtaining STRs and private medical records. The appeals are now pending again.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred during a private hospitalization for COPD and pneumonia are now covered by VA, except for any copayment or deductible owed to his health insurance plan (Medicare).

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's respiratory diseases, including COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, and reactive lung disease.

The Board has remanded the appellant's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, eye disability, skin disability (pseudofolliculitis barbae), sleep apnea, hypercholesterolemia, heart disability, COPD, lung disability other than COPD, diabetes mellitus, type II, hernia, low back disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left foot disability, and right foot disability. The claims are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD and diabetes mellitus is granted. The claims for initial compensable ratings for allergic rhinitis, cataracts, and bilateral hearing loss are denied. The claim for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus remains denied. The effective dates for the grants of service connection for rhinitis and cataracts remain denied.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to COPD and respiratory failure, finding that it was not related to service or any service-connected condition.

The Veteran's cause of death was not caused by his service-connected conditions, including arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease.,Pulmonary fibrosis is not shown to be related to service or in-service asbestos exposure.