COPD decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD/asthma, OSA, and an acquired psychiatric disability. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and COPD, finding that there is no evidence to support a current diagnosis of either condition or any link between them and his military service.

The Veteran's COPD was denied as not related to service, including exposure to environmental hazards during the Gulf War.,Service connection for memory loss is remanded due to lack of a diagnosed condition and need for further examination.,Service connection for neuropathy in the bilateral upper extremities and lower extremities is remanded due to lack of a diagnosed condition and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for various respiratory disabilities, including COPD and pneumonia. The Veteran's exposure to asbestos, herbicide agents, dust, and lead-based paint is conceded.

The VA has decided to remand the case due to a need for updated VA examination and treatment records, as the Veteran's COPD may have worsened since his last examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II has been denied as new and material evidence was not received.,Service connection for a respiratory condition (COPD) is denied because the condition is attributed to smoking, which is not related to his service-connected PTSD.,Service connection for coronary artery disease and history of heart attack or myocardial infarction secondary to PTSD is remanded as there is no evidence that the Veteran's alcohol abuse was caused by his service-connected PTSD.,Service connection for stroke secondary to PTSD is remanded as there is no evidence that the Veteran's alcohol abuse was caused by his service-connected PTSD.,Service connection for impairment of sphincter control and anal reconstruction is remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the issues of coronary artery disease and history of heart attack or myocardial infarction secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's gout, macular edema with central vein occlusion (claimed as visual loss), emphysema, and COPD are all denied service connection because the competent evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by his military service.,There is no credible medical opinion linking any of the Veteran's claimed disabilities to his active duty service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his COPD and asbestos-related pleural disease. The TDIU claim remains in appellate status as well.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to incomplete records and failure to follow instructions in a previous remand.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's lung disabilities and their relationship to service, particularly in relation to his service-connected pleural thickening and pleural plaque formation.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal, and thus has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this case.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to January 16, 2019 is denied as he was still employed and able to perform his job duties. The issue of TDIU beginning January 16, 2019 is dismissed because the Veteran has a combined rating of 100% due to asthma with COPD and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating in excess of 30 percent for asthma with COPD is denied. The Board finds a remand necessary to address the issues of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional development being required, including a vocational rehabilitation evaluation that assesses the Veteran's current limitations and their effect on his ability to perform in his occupational field. The issue of entitlement to VR&E benefits is still pending.

The Veteran's respiratory condition, including asbestosis and COPD, is being remanded for further evaluation due to the lack of recent Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and a compensable rating for his left wrist fracture, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, finding that the evidence did not support a link to military service or herbicide exposure.

The Board denied service connection for COPD as the evidence does not support a link between the condition and service, despite the Veteran's exposure to asbestos. The claim was reopened due to new evidence of asbestos exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a pulmonary disability, hypertension, and carotid artery disease due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology.