COPD decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for restless leg syndrome of the right lower extremity, left lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the right upper and left upper extremities, and COPD. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for skin cancer of the left inner ear and neck with Moh's surgery.,The Board denied service connection for restless leg syndrome of the right lower extremity, left lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the right upper and left upper extremities, and COPD. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for skin cancer of the left inner ear and neck with Moh's surgery.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been remanded due to the need for additional records from the Social Security Administration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical nexus evidence and outstanding private treatment records. The claims are related to COPD, diabetes mellitus, neuropathy of various extremities, and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for further development regarding his exposure to herbicides and a VA examination to assess his respiratory disorders.

The Board has determined that the appeal for an increased rating of COPD with sleep problems is remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and consideration.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's chronic obstructive pulmonary disease had its onset in service, and if it is related to his increased smoking during and post-service related to PTSD. The case will be returned for a VA examination by a pulmonologist.

The Veteran's COPD is found to have started during his service in the Korean War, and he was granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right knee arthritis and instability, right shoulder disability, diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and residuals of a gunshot wound to the chest with COPD and pneumothorax. The remand includes requests for new examinations due to inadequate previous evaluations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, left hip disorder, lower back disorder, hearing loss, and COPD due to potential service connection issues. The VA is instructed to obtain any relevant private treatment records and schedule examinations to further investigate these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension should be reopened and remanded. The other issues are also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD and asbestosis are not related to service or asbestos exposure in service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and confirming the Veteran's name change. The VA examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether COPD was related to service or aggravated by PTSD.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected.,Service connection for a lumbar spine disability is denied.,Service connection for COPD is denied.,Service connection for hearing loss is denied.,Service connection for a left ankle condition is denied.,Service connection for sterility is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of his service-connected COPD is dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a posterior chest shell fragment wound are not rated higher than the current 60 percent, and his TDIU rating is denied prior to July 17, 2012.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, and the Board dismissed it due to lack of allegations of errors in fact or law.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current respiratory disorder, including asbestosis and COPD, is not related to service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that his current condition was caused by in-service asbestos exposure or any other event, illness, injury, or disease.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia claim is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,The Veteran's asthma and emphysema/COPD claims are denied due to lack of service connection.

The Board has denied a higher rating for bronchial asthma with COPD prior to November 6, 2018. The remaining issues of increased ratings and service connection are remanded.

The claim of service connection for pulmonary hypertension has been granted, while the claim for COPD remains denied. The case is remanded for further evaluation and determination regarding ischemic heart disease and TDIU.