COPD decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and evaluation of his respiratory disorder, including lung nodules, and for an updated hearing loss examination. The issues of service connection for a respiratory disorder and initial rating for bilateral hearing loss are also being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), sleep apnea, and heart disease as there is no evidence showing a causal relationship between the conditions and active duty service.

The Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for left knee disability, COPD, hypertension, skin cancer, and heart condition are all remanded due to incomplete service treatment records. The Board finds new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the claim for left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's exposure to jet fuel and associated fumes caused his COPD, which led to his death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU due to incomplete records, unclear effective dates, and need for additional medical opinions. The issues include service connection for sleep apnea and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to May 8, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating of 100 percent for chronic bronchitis with COPD is granted, effective April 6, 2014. The issue of entitlement to total disability based on individual unemployability prior to December 14, 2016, is dismissed as moot.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, a left foot disability to include plantar fasciitis and tinea pedis, and hemorrhoids. The Board found that there was no current diagnosis of COPD or any other respiratory condition, and that the Veteran did not have an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD due to asbestos exposure was denied because the evidence did not show in-service asbestos exposure or that his COPD had its onset in or was otherwise caused by his service. The Board found new and material evidence, but it did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for urinary tract disorder and COPD, finding no evidence of a current disability related to his active service.

The Board has denied an increased compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and has remanded the issues of service connection for a lung disability (COPD) due to in-service asbestos exposure, as well as the issue of TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including emphysema and COPD, as there was no evidence of asbestos exposure during service or that his current conditions are related to military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD due to asbestos exposure and denied his claim for service connection for sleep apnea. The case is remanded for further development regarding the COPD claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether PTSD caused or aggravated nicotine dependence, and whether IHD caused or aggravated COPD.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disability, finding that the Veteran's COPD was not related to his service or any in-service injury. The opinion provided by the VA medical professional concluded that there is no evidence linking the Veteran’s COPD to exposure to asbestos, lead paint, and gun powder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a pulmonary disorder, including as due to asbestos and beryllium exposure, is remanded. The claims for hypoxic and hypercapnic respiratory failure and total abdominal colectomy with ileostomy are also remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine if the Veteran's cause of death was related to his service, including herbicide agent exposure at Camp Lejeune. The examiner will assess whether pulmonary fibrosis and/or COPD are related to service and whether they contributed to the Veteran's death.

The Board has dismissed all appeals seeking service connection for various conditions as the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for COPD due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran's spouse, including an autopsy report that mentions pleural plaques and a diagnosis of severe COPD. The Board will seek clarification on whether this diagnosis includes asbestosis.

The Board has remanded the claims for COPD and emphysema due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection, including a lack of consideration of direct service connection.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death due to new and material evidence. However, it is denied as there is no evidence that COPD or COPD exacerbation are related to service, including exposure to asbestos.