COPD decisions — 2020

The Veteran's skin disability was granted a 60% rating. Service connection for COPD was denied as the condition is not related to service, including exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, COPD, and chronic fatigue syndrome are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The claim for a skin condition is denied as there is no current diagnosis other than scars of the head and neck.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,Tinnitus has been granted as the Veteran provided new and material evidence indicating his belief that in-service events caused his tinnitus.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient etiology opinions and need for updated treatment records. The Veteran's respiratory disabilities, including asbestosis and COPD, are being reviewed again.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis, COPD (manifested by shortness of breath), IBS with bloody stool, and diverticulitis are all denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous directives and requests for an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, including emphysema.

The appeal for service connection and increased ratings for various conditions is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for emphysema or COPD, specifically related to exposure to hazardous cleaning materials and/or asbestos. The AOJ must now verify any reported asbestos exposure during service and obtain a medical opinion on whether such exposure caused the Veteran's respiratory disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding in-service asbestos exposure and a need for an addendum opinion on whether COPD is related to service.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus type 2, lung cancer and COPD, as well as disabilities of the right and left hands. The claims are being remanded due to incomplete records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional medical examinations and to obtain outstanding VA treatment records. The issues include service connection for a respiratory condition (asthma, lung scarring, COPD) and an initial compensable disability rating for folliculitis.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a lower back condition and a respiratory condition, including COPD. Additional STRs from the Veteran's first period of service need to be obtained, and if available, a supplemental medical nexus opinion will be needed.

The Board denied service connection for amblyopia (claimed as defective vision), COPD, and bladder cancer. The Veteran's claim was also remanded for additional development regarding hypertension.,Service connection for these conditions could not be established due to lack of a chronic disability in or after service, absence of evidence linking the disabilities to service, and inability to establish continuity of symptomatology.

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

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for COPD, as it was not adequately addressed in the previous VA medical opinion. The examiner is requested to provide an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's COPD is related to his service exposure or smoking history.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, respiratory disability (COPD), and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. The VA examiner must provide an addendum opinion addressing the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability, but the issue of service connection for a respiratory disability (COPD) is remanded due to lack of relevant medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed because he died during the pendency of his claims for service connection for back injury, herniated nucleus pulposus of the lumbar spine, and COPD. The Board does not address the merits of these claims as they are moot due to his death.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding whether the service member's cause of death, including lung cancer and other conditions listed on his death certificate, was related to exposure to contaminated water at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune.

The Board denied service connection for asthma and COPD, finding that the current respiratory disabilities are not related to active service or herbicide agent exposure. Service connection was granted for headaches and peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities.