COPD decisions — 2020

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, a respiratory condition (including COPD), and contact dermatitis due to lack of evidence establishing a causal relationship between these conditions and her military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various hip, knee, and ankle disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between these conditions and service. The Veteran's COPD is also being reviewed as his use of tobacco products may be related to his PTSD.

The Veteran's skin cancer and residuals are being remanded due to inadequate VA examination.,The Veteran's COPD is being remanded due to inadequate VA examination. The examiner was directed to address whether the Veteran’s COPD was causally related to exposure to herbicide agents, smoke, and fires while in Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for COPD, basal cell skin carcinoma, sleep apnea, and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed due to the Veteran's request to withdraw his appeals.

The Veteran's respiratory disorder, including COPD and asthma, was not incurred or aggravated by service. The Board found that the evidence did not support a connection to herbicide exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an additional medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's in-service respiratory events and his later-developed COPD and/or NSIP/hypersensitivity pneumonitis with associated pulmonary fibrosis. The issue remains under consideration.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and requests for another opinion on the nature and etiology of the Veteran's pulmonary disorders, including pleural plaques and asbestosis. The issues are service connection for a pulmonary disorder and asbestos exposure during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for liver disorder, hypertension, DM, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and COPD were denied as there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or a link to service. The appeals for SMC based on aid and attendance or housebound status were also denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for melanoma of the right eyelid and COPD, both claimed as due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The evidence did not support a causal link between these conditions and the Veteran's exposure to contaminants.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's respiratory disorder, including COPD, and his active service, specifically exposure to Agent GB while in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for leukopenia has been denied as it is not a disability for which VA benefits can be awarded.,The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has decided that a new examination and medical opinion are needed to determine if the Veteran's COPD is related to his service-connected Pulmonary Tuberculosis, or if it was aggravated by it. The decision also states that a pulmonologist should be assigned for this purpose.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection of a respiratory disorder, including cystic bronchiectasis and COPD. The earlier effective date for Special Monthly Pension (SMP) based on the need for aid and attendance is denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for COPD and residuals of a dislocated left shoulder due to asbestos exposure during service as the Veteran died before a decision could be made.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for an independent medical expert opinion. The Veteran's service connection claim for upper respiratory disability, including COPD and bronchiectasis, is also being reviewed.

The Veteran's chronic bronchitis with history of pneumonia and COPD was rated as noncompensable prior to March 13, 2018. The Board found that the disability did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating based on FEV-1/FVC post-bronchodilator results.,The Veteran's tinea pedis was rated as zero percent (noncompensable) prior to March 13, 2018. The Board found that the disability did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating based on affected body areas or systemic therapy.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disorder, including atrial fibrillation, and a lung disorder due to lack of evidence showing the conditions began during active service or were related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,While the Veteran had diagnoses of heart disorders and lung disorders prior to his death, the preponderance of the evidence did not support finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected right inguinal hernia scar was denied as the evidence did not support a higher disability rating under the applicable schedular criteria.,Service connection for COPD was also denied because there was no medical evidence linking the condition to asbestos or lead paint exposure during service.

The Board has denied service connection for all claimed disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, right eye retina disability, GERD, constipation, COPD, sleep apnea, heart disability, hypertension, benign prostatic hypertrophy, and erectile dysfunction, as they are not shown to be related to military service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, including asbestosis, COPD, emphysema, and ILD, due to asbestos and chemical exposures. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service.