COPD decisions — 2020

The Board denied the claims for service connection for sinusitis, COPD, and chronic bronchitis. The VA medical opinions found no evidence of these conditions during or immediately after service, and linked them to post-service smoking rather than service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions and missing records. The matter is being returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected disabilities, specifically Meniere’s syndrome and the cardiovascular conditions. The Board found that these conditions aggravated his heart issues and contributed to his cause of death.

The Board has granted a maximum 100 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected COPD and denied an earlier effective date. The Veteran was found to have episodes of acute respiratory failure, which meet the criteria for a 100 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 6604.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and an amended death certificate. The examiner is asked to provide opinions regarding whether in-service asbestos exposure caused the Veteran's COPD, asbestosis, and prostate cancer, and if these conditions contributed to his death.

The Veteran's COPD is granted as service-connected, and he is awarded a compensable disability rating.,Bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable disability rating.

The Veteran's BPH was not shown as etiologically related to exposure to herbicide agents nor was it shown to be chronic in service; he did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period; continuity of symptomatology is not established; and the disability is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's Peyronie's disease was not shown as etiologically related to exposure to herbicide agents nor was it shown to be chronic in service; he did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period; continuity of symptomatology is not established; and the disability is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's skin disorder, including actinic keratosis, seborrheic keratosis, rosacea, was not shown as etiologically related to exposure to herbicide agents nor was it shown to be chronic in service; he did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period; continuity of symptomatology is not established; and the disability is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's COPD was not shown as etiologically related to exposure to herbicide agents nor was it shown to be chronic in service; he did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period; continuity of symptomatology is not established; and the disability is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma (skin cancer) was not shown as etiologically related to exposure to herbicide agents nor was it shown to be chronic in service; he did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period; continuity of symptomatology is not established; and the disability is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's allergic rhinitis was not shown as etiologically related to exposure to herbicide agents nor was it shown to be chronic in service; he did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period; continuity of symptomatology is not established; and the disability is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service or asbestos exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory condition, including COPD, finding that there was no evidence linking his current COPD to his time in service.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including back disability, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, pulmonary disability (including asthma and/or COPD), bilateral hearing loss, left knee disability, and right knee disability. The claims were remanded for further development.

The Board dismissed the appeals for various conditions and issues due to the appellant's death.

The Board denied service connection for respiratory disabilities, including emphysema and COPD, due to a lack of evidence linking the conditions to service or asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a respiratory disorder, including as due to exposure to asbestos and herbicides (Agent Orange), is denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a respiratory cancer associated with Agent Orange exposure and did not find direct evidence linking his current respiratory disorders to his presumed exposure.

The Veteran's respiratory disorder, including COPD, was not incurred or aggravated during his military service. The Board found insufficient evidence to establish an in-service incurrence of a respiratory condition and denied the claim.

The Board has determined that the remand directives have not been substantially complied with, and a remand for full compliance with the Board's prior remand is warranted as a matter of law.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's respiratory disability and his service, particularly exposure in Southwest Asia.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and clarification of the severity of the Veteran's left spontaneous pneumothorax, as well as whether his COPD and right spontaneous pneumothorax are aggravated by his service-connected left spontaneous pneumothorax.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for bronchial asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and bronchitis due to conflicting evidence regarding whether the condition preexisted service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder other than sarcoidosis and asthma, as well as the claim for TDIU due to unresolved medical opinions regarding these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine arthritis, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and COPD.,Service connection was granted for the Veteran's low back disability due to credible statements of continuous back symptoms in the years since service. The VA examiner found no evidence linking the current condition to an in-service injury or disease.