COPD decisions — 2020

The Board has dismissed all claims for service connection and evaluations, as the appellant died during the appeal process.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that there is no current diagnosis of COPD and that the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that it was incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for COPD and remanded several other issues. The claims are now pending before the AOJ for further review.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient rationale in the VA examiner's opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's lung disorder and basal cell carcinoma with his exposure to asbestos and herbicide agents.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that a kidney disorder (renal failure) is related to his military service. The decision also grants service connection for a kidney disorder prior to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to asbestosis, which was presumed to be caused by his in-service exposure to asbestos. The Board found that the latency period between the Veteran's in-service exposure and his post-service diagnosis of asbestosis was within acceptable scientific standards.

The Board has remanded the claim for entitlement to TDIU due to a failure of the RO to adjudicate an intertwined issue of service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The case is now being returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and schizophrenia, was granted. Service connection for the anxiety disorder is also granted. The claims for upper respiratory disorders and thyroid disorder are denied. A rating in excess of 20 percent for duodenal ulcer and low back disability is denied. Left lower extremity radiculopathy ratings prior to March 30, 2015 and after that date are also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not been shown to preclude substantially gainful employment, and his TDIU claim is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further development regarding chemical exposures while working in proximity to Titan II missiles. The Veteran's respiratory issues are being considered as possibly related to his service, specifically exposure to asbestos.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asthma and COPD are related to service, granting service connection for these conditions.

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

The Board has denied service connection for a respiratory condition, to include COPD and emphysema, as well as service connection for a ruptured spleen. The evidence does not establish a medical nexus between the Veteran's respiratory conditions or exposure to herbicide agents and his current respiratory conditions or ruptured spleen.

The Veteran's cause of death, respiratory and cardiac arrest, was found to be related to his service-connected disabilities. The Board granted service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and PTSD has been denied. The claims for effective dates earlier than March 25, 2015, for the grant of service connection for these conditions have also been denied. The claim for COPD has been reopened due to new evidence submitted. Service connection for tension headaches is granted. Service connection for a back disability and high cholesterol are denied. Service connection for left shoulder and right shoulder disabilities as well as disabilities manifested by left and right hand numbness are not established. The Veteran's TDIU claim related to PTSD is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disorder, including bronchitis or COPD, on a secondary basis as the Veteran's current respiratory disorders were not caused by any of his service-connected disabilities.

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

The Board denied service connection for COPD, bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, lumbar spine disorder with lower extremity radiculopathy, and cervical spine disorder with upper extremity radiculopathy as the evidence did not support a link to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lower respiratory disorder other than tuberculosis, finding that his current conditions did not manifest in service and are not otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a respiratory disorder other than asthma, including restrictive lung disease and COPD is denied.,The Veteran's claim for left fifth finger peripheral neuropathy is denied.