COPD decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C with fibrosis of the liver and COPD and asthma, finding that there was no causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's active duty service. The Board noted multiple in-service risk factors including drug use but also post-service risk factors such as incarceration and continued drug use.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and an addendum opinion regarding hypertension.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a VA examination regarding whether COPD is related to herbicide exposure during service. The Veteran's service records confirm his service in Vietnam, which allows for presumed exposure to herbicides.

The Board dismissed the appeals for various issues related to service connection and effective dates due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD as there is no current diagnosis of COPD in his medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current diagnosis and service. The Board noted conflicting statements from the Veteran regarding his work exposures during service.

The Veteran's respiratory disability, including COPD and asbestosis, is being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for a pulmonary specialist opinion regarding presumed asbestos exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's COPD is related to her military service. The Veteran contends that her COPD may be linked to exposure to cleaning solvents and/or asbestos during service, as well as in-service upper respiratory infections.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence sufficient to readjudicate the previously denied claims for service connection for COPD, sinusitis, and rhinitis has been received. The claims are now remanded for further action.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded to obtain outstanding records of VA and VA-authorized treatment, including scanned/VistA imaging records. The right knee increased evaluation claims are also remanded for an adequate medical examination.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is being remanded for a VA medical examiner to determine if it is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected bronchial asthma with COPD. The TDIU issue is also being remanded due to its inextricability from the service connection claim.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected sinusitis, but the claims for supraventricular arrhythmia and COPD remain pending due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and requests for further information from the appellant. The claim is being reopened based on new evidence.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a respiratory disability, including COPD, was denied as there is no evidence of its onset during service or due to exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange) and toxic fumes therein.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence to support the contention that exposure to jet fuel and associated fumes caused his COPD.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence to decide whether the Veteran's COPD is related to his service, including exposure to second-hand smoke and cannon fire during World War II.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and an increased rating for ischemic heart disease prior to January 28, 2019 were denied. The Veteran's COPD claim was reopened due to new evidence but still not granted as there is no link between the condition and his military service. His ischemic heart disease remains at a 30% disability rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is related to his active service and grants entitlement to service connection for COPD.

The Board denied the claims to reopen for service connection of chronic bronchitis, asthma, and COPD due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for respiratory disabilities, including asthma and COPD, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.