COPD decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for COPD was denied. For PTSD, he received a 70% rating prior to January 27, 2020, but the higher rating of greater than 70% from March 1, 2020, was denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for COPD, multiple joint disabilities, and other service connection issues due to inadequate etiology opinions provided by VA examiners. The claims are being returned for further development.

The appeal for service connection of COPD is dismissed. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was restored to a 50% rating effective June 6, 2016. However, the VA determined that the reduction from 50% to 40% was improper and has been restored. A higher rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to June 20, 2018 is denied. The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to June 20, 2018 is moot as his combined disability rating reached 100%.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for asbestosis, COPD, and emphysema due to a lack of evidence supporting these conditions. The VA examiner found no current diagnosis of asbestosis based on chest x-rays and CT scans, and post-service records consistently diagnosed the Veteran with COPD and emphysema.

The Veteran's COPD is not attributable to his military service, including presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development regarding service connection for a heart disability and COPD. The Veteran's heart disability may be related to in-service exposure to herbicides, but this needs further investigation as his service records show he was aboard the USS Ranger during RVN service. For COPD, more information is needed about specific exposures (asbestos, diesel fumes, air pollution) and whether these occurred during service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for TDIU and an increased rating for asbestosis prior to April 29, 2015. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's lung disease, including COPD, is not service-connected due to exposure to asbestos. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for COPD and esophageal cancer on a substitution basis due to insufficient evidence. The appellant is requested to provide additional medical opinions or evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and readjudication, including obtaining additional medical records and issuing a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD (chest pain) is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his military service.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for Eagle's Syndrome is denied due to the absence of stricture or obstruction, absence of soft palate, and paralysis of the soft palate.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant requested withdrawal of his claims for service connection for COPD, PTSD, sleep apnea, collapsed right lung, bilateral hearing loss, memory loss, left and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, CFS, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has dismissed all issues related to the veteran's claims, including evaluations for various conditions and service connection requests.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease, but the claims for asthma and COPD are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's COPD with pneumoconiosis and its relation to service, specifically exposure to asbestos and herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and COPD with bronchitis due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran must be provided new VA examinations based on a review of his medical records.

The Board has remanded the cases of asbestosis, pulmonary fibrosis, COPD, and congestive heart failure for further examination to determine if these conditions are related to service or asbestos exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lung condition, including COPD as a residual of pneumonia, is not related to his service and therefore denied the claim.

Service connection for a respiratory disability, including COPD, asthma, emphysema, and lung cancer, is granted. Service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death is also granted.

The Board denied service connection for a lung disorder, finding that the Veteran's preexisting weight condition did not worsen during service and that his current lung disorders are unrelated to in-service upper respiratory infections.