COPD decisions — 2020

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for low back disorder and COPD, finding new and material evidence. The appeals for left rib disorder and left hip disorder are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for COPD and asbestosis due to insufficient evidence, including incomplete service treatment records and an inadequate VA medical opinion. The Veteran's exposure to asbestos is conceded during active duty.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records and insufficient follow-up. The Veteran's inpatient treatment at Bamberg Army Hospital in 1976 needs to be obtained, as well as VA treatment records from Dallas VAMC.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicide agents and asbestos. The claim for service connection for COPD is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, COPD, and a left eyelid disability due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology. The VA is requested to obtain independent medical opinions from non-VA experts in endocrinology and internal medicine.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, bronchial asthma and COPD, rhinitis, bilateral pes planus, left knee PFPS, and PTSD. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for bilateral pes planus and left knee PFPS have been remanded.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence of herbicide agent exposure or military assignment at a specified location and date to warrant a finding of exposure. The preponderance of evidence is against the claim.

The reduction in the disability rating for chronic bronchitis with COPD from 60% to 0% was not proper, and a 60% rating is restored. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's bladder and prostate cancers were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of their onset during service or within one year of discharge. The respiratory disorder claims are remanded for further development.,There was no confirmed exposure to herbicides in Korea, and the Veteran did not have a presumptive claim based on Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and COPD are all granted. The claim for COPD is remanded as the evidence does not establish a nexus between the current diagnosis of COPD and in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and need for a VA examination regarding the Veteran's claim of COPD related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for asbestosis with COPD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and opinions, as well as outstanding treatment records. The Veteran's respiratory disorder is being evaluated again with a focus on beryllium exposure in service and abnormal pulmonary function tests.

The Board has remanded the claims for COPD and essential tremors due to diesel fume exposure and herbicide exposure, respectively. New opinions are needed from VA clinicians.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of evidence regarding the Veteran's lung cancer and radiation exposure claims.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence showing a service-connected disability caused or contributed substantially to his death.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to the Veteran's inability to attend scheduled VA examinations and failure to report. The COPD case will require a VA examination, while the bilateral leg disorder case requires an appropriate examination.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA opinion on whether the Veteran's respiratory failure and COPD were caused by his presumed in-service exposure to herbicides. The claim is not decided at this time.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for respiratory disorder, claimed as COPD, finding no evidence to support a relationship between his service and his condition.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining a VA addendum opinion to address the likelihood of hepatitis C infection due to various risk factors and its relation to service.