COPD decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA treatment records and the need for a new examination to assess the severity of bronchitis and determine if COPD is caused by service-connected bronchitis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, arthritis of various joints, constipation and neuropathy of the lower extremities, and SMC due to unresolved issues in the medical opinions provided.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, including asthma and COPD, is being reviewed again.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for respiratory disabilities other than allergies/allergic rhinitis, including chronic bronchitis and sinusitis. The issues of service connection for allergies and/or allergic rhinitis were remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for kidney disorder, COPD, brain disorder, and ataxia due to TCE exposure have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or link between the disorders and active duty service.

The Veteran's asthma is being remanded for a new examination to obtain the required DLC test results.,Service connection for COPD, allergic rhinitis, and GERD are all being remanded due to insufficient rationale in the previous opinions.

The Veteran's COPD is being remanded for additional development, including an addendum opinion to determine the etiology of his condition and whether it is related to his service-connected adenocarcinoma.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and the appellant's claims for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and death pension benefits were denied due to lack of qualifying wartime service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for pneumonia, COPD, and flash burns of both eyes due to the need for further development.

The Board denied service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with emphysema, hepatitis C, abdominal aortic aneurysm, and peripheral vascular diseases of the lower extremities. Service connection was not granted for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's cervical spine condition is granted service connection. The remaining issues of COPD, diabetes, hypertension, left hip condition, right hip condition, and right knee condition are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD, finding that it was caused and aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected asbestosis.

The Board denied service connection for COPD and an initial compensable rating for a lung condition, finding that the Veteran's COPD was not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected lung condition.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain medical opinions regarding the Veteran's respiratory and heart disabilities. The issues of service connection for a respiratory disability other than interstitial lung disease and a heart disability are being considered.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination and a need for updated private treatment records. The Veteran's respiratory condition is being reviewed again to determine its etiology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for anxiety, depression, memory loss, back problems, and COPD. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active duty.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to new laws and regulations regarding service connection based on exposure to herbicide agents, particularly Agent Orange. The Veteran's claims are being reviewed in light of these changes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, COPD, gastroesophageal reflux disease/Barrett's Syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and hypertension have been denied. The claim for hypertension is remanded due to secondary service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD on the basis of aggravation, but asthma remains unresolved. The Veteran's pre-existing asthma is now considered to be aggravated by his service-connected COPD.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for a medical opinion from a pulmonologist, as the previous opinion was provided by an OB-GYN. The appeal is being remanded again.