COPD decisions — 2020

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back condition, COPD, and heart condition due to new and material evidence. The cases are now remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that there is a nexus between the Veteran's COPD and his service, specifically exposure to secondhand smoke. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a respiratory disability due to service, as there are unclear findings from his October 2017 pulmonary function test and outstanding medical records need to be obtained. The examiner is asked to provide an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's respiratory symptoms.

The Board has granted entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death due to asbestosis caused by in-service asbestos exposure. The appeal regarding burial benefits is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, metastatic lung cancer, and squamous cell carcinoma of the left oropharynx as there was no evidence linking these conditions to service, including exposure to asbestos.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, sleep apnea, and COPD were not found to be service-connected due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,Chronic high blood pressure was also not found to be service-connected as no VA examiner provided an opinion on its etiology.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for COPD and cirrhosis of the liver, as well as the claim for cause of death. The VA will obtain additional medical records and provide a new opinion regarding the Veteran's exposure to JP-4 jet fuel during service and its relation to his current conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and bronchitis with asthma due to an incomplete record search. The case will be returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including scheduling VA examinations to determine if the Veteran's lumbar DDD and COPD are related to service.

Your service connection for a respiratory disorder, including COPD, asthma, and pneumonia, has been granted. The appeal is dismissed as the full benefit sought on appeal has been granted.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, cerebrovascular accident (stroke), heart disorder, and lung disorder to include COPD and emphysema have all been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service or presumed exposure to herbicides.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete research on the Veteran's exposure to mustard gas and other chemicals during service. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a chronic disorder of the lungs, including COPD, which he claims was caused by his service. Additional research is needed to confirm or deny any exposure to these substances.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected Multiple Sclerosis is being remanded.,His claim for secondary service connection of chronic pneumonia and breathing difficulties to his service-connected MS is also being remanded.,The cause of the Veteran's death, which was attributed to pneumonia due to COPD, is being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim of residuals of tonsillitis, as there is no indication that the Veteran currently has any residual symptoms from his service-connected tonsillitis.,Service connection for tinnitus was also denied due to a lack of current evidence linking the condition to service or a service-connected disability. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen this claim.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic lung condition, but has remanded it due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between his current conditions and in-service pneumonia.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and remanded the issues of service connection for breathing problems (COPD, emphysema, asthma, atelectasis, lung nodule, deviated septum, nasal polyps, sinusitis) and increased disability rating for recurrent pneumothorax.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, but his hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol) and other conditions are denied. The Board has remanded for further review of the remaining issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has COPD and whether it is related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for COPD and pleural plaques due to a failure to obtain relevant VA records, address the Veteran's contention regarding smoking history, and provide adequate reasons and bases for its decision. The claims will be returned to the Board for further action.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for payment of nonservice-connected pension benefits and special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance or at the housebound rate due to insufficient evidence showing he is disabled enough to require regular assistance from another person.