COPD decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new one must be conducted to determine if the Veteran's respiratory disorder is related to his service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory condition, including COPD and emphysema, due to in-service asbestos exposure. The evidence did not support that the Veteran's current respiratory condition was related to his active service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the Veteran's COPD and its relation to service, specifically exposure at Camp Lejeune. The Veteran is asked to provide an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD but has remanded the issues of service connection for left and right upper extremity neurological disorders due to VA's duty to assist.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is related to his service, specifically his exposure to herbicide agents during his time in Vietnam. As a result, the claim for service connection for COPD is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection has been dismissed as the RO issued a Statement of the Case continuing the current evaluations and denying the claims.,The Veteran did not file a substantive appeal, thus the Board lacks jurisdiction to review these issues.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for COPD (claimed as breathing problems) is granted. The Board has also remanded the issue of entitlement to service connection for a respiratory disability to include COPD and emphysema.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's ischemic heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are related to his service, including any confirmed exposure to herbicides.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for pulmonary emphysema and COPD due to insufficient evidence, including a lack of rationale linking these conditions to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical examination and a need for further evaluation of the Veteran's respiratory/pulmonary disorder, including its relationship to service.

The Veteran's cause of death was listed as complications of cardiomyopathy, but the Board found no evidence to support service connection for these conditions. The Veteran had a history of PTSD and other disabilities that were not related to his military service.

The Veteran's COPD is not related to his active duty service, including exposure to herbicide agents. Service connection for COPD is denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding service connection for COPD.

The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD rating, service connection for COPD and a skin condition are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD and emphysema, finding that the Veteran's current respiratory disability is as likely as not related to his in-service asbestos exposure. The decision resolves doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's pleural disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, specifically related to in-service asbestos exposure. The Veteran was exposed to asbestos during his service as an electrician and sanitary facility inspector.

The Board denied service connection for COPD with pulmonary nodules, sinusitis, a back disorder, and a right ankle disorder. The Veteran's claims were not supported by current medical evidence or continuity of symptomatology.

The Board dismissed all appeals related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions and new claims, due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder strain, lower back strain, bilateral knee strain, and sleep apnea. The claims for bilateral leg lymphedema and COPD are remanded due to the need for a medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA pulmonary examination to determine if any identified pulmonary disabilities had their onset during active service or are related to any incident of service, including documented inservice respiratory complaints and X-ray findings.