COPD decisions — 2020

The Board dismissed all issues of service connection due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.,Ear infections and vertigo are also being remanded for further development as the VA examiner’s opinion is insufficient.,Tuberculosis, COPD, and hypertension secondary to PTSD/Hypothyroidism are being remanded due to incomplete or conflicting evidence.,Hypertension is being remanded because of a lack of information regarding fuel fume exposure in service.,The Veteran's hypothyroidism is being remanded as there is insufficient evidence linking it to herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and outstanding VA treatment records. The issues include sleep apnea, respiratory disability (including COPD and emphysema), gynecological disability, and gastrointestinal disability.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there is no persuasive evidence linking the Veteran's disabilities to any injury or disease during service. The preponderance of the evidence is against the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's COPD is related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides or paint strippers.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by or a direct result of his service, specifically due to asbestos exposure. The evidence is in equipoise as to whether this cause of death is related to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's congestive heart failure had its onset in service based on the abnormal clinical evaluation of the heart finding 'rare extra systoles' on a medical examination dated July 1957.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis, finding that his COPD was aggravated by these conditions.

Service connection is granted for PTSD. Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The case of COPD is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions and outstanding VA treatment records. The claims include service connection for sleep apnea, COPD, a respiratory disorder including asthma, and a nerve disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for respiratory conditions and skin issues due to Gulf War exposure were denied as there was no evidence of a direct relationship between the conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for anemia, hepatitis, a stomach condition, an esophageal condition, asthma, and COPD due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. VA examinations are needed to determine current diagnoses and etiology.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his hypertensive heart disease and other contributing conditions were not related to his military service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives and insufficient examination opinions. The Veteran's respiratory conditions are being reviewed again, including exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board denied service connection for chronic bronchitis and COPD, finding that the Veteran's diagnosed conditions were not related to his active service or a service-connected disability.

The Board denied entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death, finding that his death was not caused by or substantially contributed to by a service-connected disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including asthma and COPD, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, finding that it did not manifest during service and is unrelated to his active duty. The Board also found no secondary service connection due to a service-connected condition.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for cause of death, finding that there was no evidence to support the Veteran's exposure to herbicides in service and thus denying direct service connection. The Board also found that the Veteran’s left ear hearing loss did not contribute to his death.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, eye condition, COPD, skin condition, and dental disability are remanded due to a lack of medical evidence addressing their etiology.