COPD decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for a lung disorder (COPD), skin condition (immersion foot), and residuals of heat stroke, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support these claims.,Service connection was not granted as there was no direct link between the conditions and military service.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, finding that the Veteran's current condition was not caused by in-service exposure to herbicide agents or paint stripper. The evidence did not support a link between the Veteran's COPD and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disability, specifically COPD, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the condition and active service.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations and opinions are needed to address the Veteran's lung disease, hearing loss, and sinus disability claims due to incomplete medical records and conflicting medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and further development is required.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development on multiple issues, including PTSD, lumbar spine disability, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations regarding the Veteran's respiratory disability and anal abscess are not based on an accurate factual basis, and therefore requires further development to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis, meningitis to include as secondary to sinusitis, and encephalopathy to include as secondary to sinusitis. The remaining claims of service connection are remanded due to the possibility that they may be related to the Veteran's service-connected meningitis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not show the Veteran met the criteria for entitlement to this benefit prior to September 17, 2013.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, including bronchiolitis obliterans with organizing pneumonia (BOOP), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and asthma. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and herbicide exposure or service-connected ischemic heart disease.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disability and GERD, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a link to service. The claim was denied as there is no clear and unmistakable evidence showing the condition existed prior to service or that it was aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis and COPD due to exposure to burn pits during his military service in Vietnam. The Veteran was a Heavy Vehicle Driver, which likely exposed him to fuel fumes. He currently has diagnoses of bronchitis and COPD. A VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his service.

The Veteran's claims for COPD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, acid reflux, peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, and glaucoma have been denied.,The Veteran was not provided with VA examinations or medical opinions as required by law.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, Pulmonary Hypertension, and Pulmonary Fibrosis as these conditions are not among the list of diseases subject to presumptive service connection based on exposure to herbicide agents. The Board also found that there is no evidence linking these respiratory conditions to active service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and therefore, the claim for service connection for the cause of his death is denied. The DIC claim under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 also failed due to lack of total rating for at least 10 years prior to death.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine if PTSD is related to service and whether COPD and asthma are related to service under direct service connection analysis.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) due to herbicide exposure, but has remanded the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder as secondary to service-connected coronary artery disease.

The Board denied the claims of service connection for various conditions including respiratory, sleep apnea, congestive heart failure, implantable cardioverter defibrillator due to non-ischemic cardiomyopathy, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus type II. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sinus infections and rhinitis, as well as any respiratory condition including asthma, COPD, or shortness of breath due to undiagnosed illness, are not service-connected. The case is being sent back for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that there is no evidence to support a direct or secondary relationship between his current COPD and his military service.