COPD decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claim for a lung disorder, including COPD, due to DDT exposure. The case is being sent back for further development and an addendum medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's pulmonary disabilities, particularly William-Campbell Syndrome and other congenital conditions. The VA must obtain an addendum examination from a pulmonary specialist to address these issues.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral hearing loss, and COPD due to lack of evidence showing in-service onset or relationship to service. The Veteran's claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD and remanded the issue of TDIU due to the Veteran's inability to work because of his condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development regarding the cause of death and service connection claims. The Veteran's COPD and oropharyngeal cancer are not presumed diseases related to herbicide agent exposure, but may still be service-connected on a direct basis. The claim will be reviewed after obtaining updated medical records and opinions from an expert.

The Veteran's right lung condition, including residuals of spontaneous pneumothorax and COPD, does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent. The Board also denied his claim for TDIU as he did not provide sufficient evidence to show that his service-connected disabilities render him unemployable.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claims for respiratory disorder (including COPD and emphysema) and total disability rating based on individual employability. The Veteran's exposure basis is not specified, and there was no indication of a presumption or secondary service connection theory.

The Board has remanded the claims for asthma, emphysema, COPD, and sleep apnea due to asbestos exposure. The Veteran's VA physician diagnosed him with emphysema in the past, but there is no evidence of this diagnosis in the record. Additional attempts must be made to locate the 1980s chest x-ray and an additional VA opinion should be obtained to determine whether the Veteran has a current diagnosis of emphysema and if it is related to service. The issue of sleep apnea is also remanded as it may be caused or aggravated by any respiratory condition, including emphysema.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating for right knee chondromalacia, service connection for headaches and COPD have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation for his right knee condition or service connection for his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development and medical opinions to address service connection for anemia and respiratory disorders, including those related to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The claims are being returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's other specified bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and PTSD are granted service connection. A higher rating of 70 percent is granted for PTSD. Service connection for COPD, asthma, hypertension, lumbar spine disability, and right arm disability is remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of COPD, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD due to exposure to Agent Orange, jet fuel, and other chemicals. The evidence did not support a finding that these exposures caused or aggravated his COPD.

The Board has determined that there has not been substantial compliance with the remand directives and has therefore ordered further development for several of the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's COPD prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful occupation since July 9, 2019. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a 100% disability rating for COPD was granted effective February 9, 2019. The effective date is set at the earliest date of receipt of his claim.

Your appeal for service connection for COPD has been dismissed because the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, previously denied and reopened on June 3, 2019, is granted with an effective date of June 3, 2019.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's respiratory disability, including his alleged asbestos exposure during service. The VA needs to verify this information and schedule a new examination to determine if any of these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied service connection for a left ankle disability and a respiratory/lung disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus to service.