COPD decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and left shoulder disorder. Bilateral hearing loss is considered incurred in service due to continuity of symptoms, while COPD and left shoulder disorder are not considered incurred in service.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for a special home adaptation grant, and thus denied his appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the relationship of the Veteran's COPD and other lung conditions to asbestos exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for chronic bronchitis, chronic asthma, and COPD due to insufficient rationale in the previous opinions. The case is sent back for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bronchitis, finding that the current COPD is causally related to his service-connected bronchitis.

The Veteran's DIC claim under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is denied, and the cause of death appeal is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records from the appellant's period of active service in the U.S. Air Force.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for chronic sinusitis, COPD, and GERD due to duty-to-assist errors in obtaining medical opinions prior to the July 2019 decision on appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and a lung disability, both related to asbestos exposure. The case is being returned to the RO for additional development including verifying in-service asbestos exposure and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's respiratory disorders, specifically related to his service in Iraq and exposure to burn pits.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient opinions regarding the cause of the Veteran's death and whether VA care proximately caused his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lung disability (COPD/emphysema) is at least as likely due to his in-service exposure to herbicides, including Agent Orange. As such, service connection for COPD with emphysema is granted.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to COPD and stomach cancer, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or presumed herbicide exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and medical inquiry into the appellant's claim of being a helpless child due to her health conditions, specifically asthma.

The Board has denied service connection for COPD, emphysema, and hepatitis C. The liver cancer claim is inextricably intertwined with the hepatitis C claim and will be remanded along with it.

The appeal for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance and/or housebound status is dismissed. The service connection claim for COPD is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for cesarean section residuals, left knee disorders, and right knee disorders. Service connection for COPD was not addressed as it is pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, interstitial lung disease, COPD, and bronchiectasis as secondary to asbestos exposure. The AOJ must obtain a new medical opinion addressing the relationship between these conditions and in-service asbestos exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea and COPD, as these conditions are related to the Veteran's service-connected MDD. The VA will obtain missing STRs and provide new medical opinions regarding the etiology of both conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lung disability, finding that there is no competent medical evidence to support a finding that his current lung disability is related to his active service.