COPD decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran did not have a current disability related to his military service. The Board also found no evidence of herbicide exposure during service.,Service connection was also denied for COPD, as there is no credible evidence of herbicide exposure.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of COPD and prostate cancer as he withdrew his appeals in February 2020.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to failure to report for scheduled VA examinations. The issues of service connection for various disabilities are now pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder was granted. The claims for tinea pedis, respiratory disability (including chronic bronchitis, COPD, and other respiratory pathology related to pulmonary eosinophilic granulomatosis and obstructive sleep apnea), foot disability other than tinea pedis, upper extremity diabetic neuropathy, and right knee disability are still pending and need further examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining an opinion from a mental health clinician regarding whether the Veteran's PTSD aggravated his nicotine dependence or addiction.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for COPD, CAD, aortic aneurysm, and squamous cell carcinoma due to inadequate examinations and lack of confirmation of in-service asbestos exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional records related to his hospitalization in Heidelberg, West Germany. The VA must attempt to obtain these records and any reports from his company commander.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and a need for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's COPD.

The Board has denied service connection for arteriosclerosis obliterans, low circulation of lower extremities and remanded the claims for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and hypertensive vascular disease (hypertension and isolated systolic hypertension).

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70% rating, but the claims for diabetes with peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and COPD were denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for COPD and low back disability due to insufficient evidence in the record. The VA will need to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions, specifically whether they are related to service or secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for side effects of medication taken for asthma and COPD, finding that the evidence did not establish additional disability resulting from VA treatment.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis was dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal prior to a decision being made. The lung and sleep apnea claims are remanded.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for PTSD is denied, but an initial evaluation of 30 percent, but not in excess thereof, for COPD is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for COPD, low back injury residuals, and bilateral spondylolysis at L-5 with first degree spondylolisthesis due to insufficient evidence on the relationship between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's COPD is rated as noncompensable due to pre-bronchodilator FEV-1 of 69 percent predicted and FEV-1/FVC of 46 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 6604.

The Veteran's asthma was evaluated and found not to warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent.,Service connection for the left knee condition, right knee condition, left foot condition, back condition, and COPD were all denied.

The Veteran's death was caused by pneumonia, which is not service-connected. The Veteran had other service-connected conditions but they did not cause his death. There were no accrued benefits or DIC claims pending at the time of his death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for asbestosis, COPD, and OSA has been denied. The Board finds the evidence does not support these claims.,Regarding hypertension, the Veteran submitted medical journal articles suggesting a link to herbicide exposure or diabetes mellitus, but no competent medical opinion was provided.