COPD decisions — 2020

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for COPD, HTN, and prostate problems due to inadequate medical opinions. The case is being sent back for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's COPD is caused or aggravated by his service-connected pulmonary nodules.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to exposure to herbicide agents. The issues include heart disability, prostate condition, skin conditions, and COPD.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's lung problems, specifically his obstructive pulmonary disease. The VA examiner will need to review all relevant chest x-rays and CT scans beyond 2014.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, a respiratory disorder (including COPD), and a psychiatric disability manifested by occasional nightmares are denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee condition, low back condition, and right eye condition are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder, left elbow, and right elbow arthritis, COPD, and kidney stones were denied. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the current diagnoses and service or any presumptive exposure.,Service connection was not granted as there is insufficient evidence to establish a link between the Veteran's current condition and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed substantially or materially to his death. The appellant contends that the Veteran's coronary artery disease, which was not service-connected, and his service-connected left hip and knee arthritis disabilities caused him to fall and fracture his hip, leading to surgery and ultimately resulting in his death.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected respiratory disability was denied. The current rating of 60 percent is maintained as the disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical evidence and a need for additional examinations.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the condition and the Veteran's in-service exposures or his active duty service.

The Veteran's death was not caused by his own willful misconduct, and he had no service-connected disability that met the criteria for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 at the time of his death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding his COPD and psychiatric disorders, specifically related to exposure in-service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before a decision was made, so the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of outstanding treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a lung disability, including COPD and pneumothoraxes, due to insufficient explanation in the January 2020 VA examiner's report regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's lung disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and malaria, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for gallbladder removal, inguinal hernias, and headaches. Service connection was not granted for COPD due to lack of evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss prior to July 12, 2019, and for ratings in excess of 10 percent from that date have been denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD has also been denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to potential exposure to hazardous materials at Fort McClellan, and a need for further medical opinion regarding the relationship between service and respiratory disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for clarification of diagnosed respiratory disorders and to obtain additional medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's service connection claim is being remanded due to ongoing confusion about whether he has asbestosis, his service-connected respiratory disability.