COPD decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities as secondary to diabetes mellitus, and chronic kidney disease. The claim for COPD is denied due to lack of a causal link between current symptoms and service.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for COPD has been granted. The effective date of this grant is July 21, 2017.,Diabetes mellitus type II was granted service connection with an effective date of July 21, 2017.

The Veteran's cause of death was not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicide agents or an in-service automobile accident. The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran’s malignant neoplasm, COPD, emphysema, and other conditions to his time in service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lung disorder, specifically whether it is related to his service as a welder. The Veteran needs to be provided with an examination and opinion on this matter.

The Veteran's COPD disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the evidence does not support a higher rating. The Board denied an increased rating for COPD.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, COPD, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral feet due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active military service or exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran's current diagnoses were not shown in service or within one year after discharge.

The Veteran's service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted.,Service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder due to service-connected bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about the adequacy of the medical opinions provided, particularly regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his respiratory disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of pneumonia, to include COPD; and/or secondary to his service-connected unspecified depressive disorder with insomnia disorder is being remanded due to the need for a medical opinion on the etiology of his respiratory conditions.

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

The Board denied service connection for COPD as the Veteran's current respiratory disability is not related to his active military service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for COPD, rating higher than 20 percent for low back strain with facet arthropathy, and rating higher than 10 percent for left knee patellofemoral syndrome with pes anserinus. The issue of rating higher than 10 percent for right knee strain remains remanded.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The cases of COPD, left knee condition, and bilateral hearing loss are all remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for Bell's palsy, GERD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and myositis due to additional development being required.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding service connection for COPD, left hip disability, and sciatic nerve disability.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for COPD, prostate cancer, and hypertension due to a lack of VA treatment records. The Veteran's surviving spouse is now processing these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of complete service records and potential herbicide exposure at the Savannah River Plant. The claims will be reconsidered after these issues are resolved.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD as secondary to PTSD, but has remanded the issues of service connection for abnormal nevus, psoriasis, and chloracne due to lack of a nexus opinion.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral ankle disorder and a respiratory disorder, finding that the Veteran did not have such conditions during or within one year after his military service.,There is no evidence of chronicity or continuity of symptoms between the Veteran's military service and his current diagnoses.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hyperlipidemia has been denied as it is not considered a disability for VA purposes.,Issues related to bilateral hearing loss, chronic obstructive lung disease (claimed as COPD), heart disorder, toe fungus, osteoarthrosis of the left leg, osteoarthrosis of the right leg, and erectile dysfunction are all remanded for further development.