COPD decisions — 2019

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) from August 8, 2013 to November 17, 2018 due to service-connected PTSD and COPD. The Board found that the evidence was in equipoise as to whether he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for COPD and thoracic spine pain. The Veteran's claim of service connection for COPD is reopened, but his claim for thoracic spine pain remains denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance of another person due to service-connected disabilities, as well as housebound status due to service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not establish that the Veteran was in need of regular aid and assistance or permanently housebound solely due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim of service connection for COPD should be remanded due to inadequate medical opinion and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and a skin disorder due to insufficient medical evidence. The VA will obtain new opinions regarding whether these conditions are related to service, including exposure to trichloroethylene.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence linking his death to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities. The Veteran's service connection claim for COPD is also being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, COPD, asthma condition, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a respiratory condition, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current respiratory disabilities and service or a service-connected disability.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence linking any service-connected condition to his death. The Veteran died from COPD, which was not service-connected.

The Board denied service connection for allergies, COPD, intestinal disorders, acid reflux disorder, and kidney disorder as the evidence did not support a link to military service.

The Board has determined that the February 1998 rating decision denying service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death did not become final, and therefore, the claim needed to be reopened. The case was remanded for a VA examiner to provide an opinion on whether COPD, stomach cancer or any service-connected disability is related to active duty service including herbicide exposure and whether it caused the Veteran’s death.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and requests for additional information.

The Veteran's COPD and bronchiectasis are granted service connection, with the latter being attributed to exposure to environmental hazards during service in the Persian Gulf.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the previously denied claim for restricted lung disease (COPD and bronchial asthma) has been withdrawn. The issues of service connection for traumatic brain injury, left knee degenerative joint disease, tinnitus, left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, and migraine headaches have all been granted.,The Veteran's petition to reopen the previously denied claim for left knee degenerative joint disease has been granted. The issues of service connection for traumatic brain injury, tinnitus, left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, and migraine headaches have all been remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for pulmonary disabilities and fatigue-related disabilities due to service, including consideration of all evidence of record and a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for COPD and TDIU due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's COPD.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The issues of service connection for COPD, bilateral neuropathy, and skin cancer are remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the issue of service connection for PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current pulmonary conditions are related to service, specifically presumed Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam. The Veteran can still establish direct service connection based on actual causation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and COPD due to in-service herbicide exposure as there is insufficient competent evidence to determine if these conditions are related to such exposure.