COPD decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, including medical records and lay statements. A VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's COPD and lung nodules are related to his service exposure to asbestos or Agent Orange.

The Veteran's lung disability, including asthma, COPD, and overlap syndrome, is remanded for further development due to the need for a medical opinion on its etiology.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine the cause of death and whether it was caused by herbicide exposure or other incidents of service. The case will be returned for further consideration.

The Veteran's appeals for various disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, knee disabilities, macular degeneration, hypertension, aortic blood vessel aneurism, vertigo, COPD, and congestive heart failure, have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran. The appeal is now moot.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claims for service connection for right-knee disorder and left-knee disorder, but has remanded the cases for further development. The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD is also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service records and the need for a VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's lung disability. The claim will be returned for further development.

The Board has denied service connection for COPD and remanded the claim of service connection for Depression. The COPD denial is based on a lack of evidence linking it to active service or service-connected sleep apnea with pulmonary sarcoidosis, while the depression issue requires further examination to reconcile previous diagnoses.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for spontaneous pneumothorax, resolved, was denied due to failure to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.,Service connection for change in vocal cords and COPD were both denied as there is no current diagnosis or evidence of these conditions.,TDIU was denied because the Veteran does not meet the schedular criteria for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claims, particularly in relation to service connection.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and alcohol use disorder have been granted. Service connection is also established for a left knee condition.,However, the claim for bilateral hearing loss remains denied, and the claim for COPD and asthma requires further evaluation.

The Board has denied service connection for COPD and remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition. The COPD claim is denied as there is no evidence linking it to service, while the psychiatric disorder may be related to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and medical opinions. The issues include heart conditions, foot conditions, and a respiratory condition.

The Board has denied service connection for COPD and remanded the issues of service connection for a cervical spine condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD).

The Board has decided to remand two issues: the claim for service connection for COPD and the issue of an increase rating for hearing loss. The decision on these matters will be reconsidered after further examination and development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for a low back condition, respiratory conditions (asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder), depression, anxiety, sleep apnea, migraines, left knee condition, right shoulder bursitis, and memory loss. The claims are remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for examinations to determine the nature and etiology of her claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including verification of asbestos exposure during service and an opinion on whether the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability contributed to his death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and records.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and records.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right hip disability is remanded due to the need for an opinion on whether his current condition is related to service or a service-connected disability.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for opinions on whether his sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, type 2, erectile dysfunction, and skin condition are related to service or a service-connected disability. The issues of service connection for melanoma and amputation of two toes on the left foot (claimed as due to melanoma) are also remanded.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for other specified trauma is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination, and his claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability is remanded due to the need for opinions on whether his service-connected disabilities are related or aggravated by each other.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for opinions on whether his respiratory condition (COPD), sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, type 2, erectile dysfunction, and skin condition are related to service or a service-connected disability. The issues of service connection for melanoma and amputation of two toes on the left foot (claimed as due to melanoma) are also remanded.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his skin disability claim was granted. His claims for service connection for a pulmonary disability, an eye disability, and hearing loss were denied on the merits. The Veteran's bladder cancer claim is remanded. Other issues are also remanded.

The Veteran's urinary incontinence is granted a higher initial rating of 40 percent. The cases for bilateral hearing loss, COPD, and diabetes mellitus type 2 are remanded.

Service connection for PTSD, a left knee disorder, OSA, COPD, GERD, and headaches has been granted.,Effective dates prior to the specified dates have not been established.