COPD decisions — 2020

The Veteran's COPD was granted service connection, but SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is also granted. The other conditions were dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and his cause of death, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his service and these conditions.

The Veteran's lung disability and pneumonia were not caused by VA surgery, as COPD and asthma pre-existed the surgery and worsened naturally. The Board denied compensation for these conditions.

The claim of service connection for bladder cancer is remanded. The claims of service connection for asthma and COPD are denied.

The Board has remanded the case for a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's COPD and its relation to service, as well as whether his PTSD caused or aggravated his tobacco use. The cause of death is respiratory failure due to intra-abdominal sepsis, bowel perforation during complicated colonoscopy, and Crohn’s Disease.

The Board has denied all service connection claims, including for COPD and asthma, as well as psychiatric disorders, lower back disability, neck disability, right thigh and knee disabilities, fibromyalgia, shoulder and arm disabilities, elbow, wrist and hand disabilities, hip disabilities, left leg and ankle-foot disabilities, and left knee and shoulder-and-arm disabilities. The claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's respiratory disability, specifically his claimed asthma and COPD. The VA needs to obtain additional medical records and conduct a new examination with a different examiner to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD was denied in October 2017, and new evidence has not been received to reopen the claim.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychological condition (to include anxiety and depression) is reopened. The Board finds that the newly submitted evidence raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II was denied in October 2017, and new evidence has not been received to reopen the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, tinnitus, dermatitis, COPD, and bilateral peripheral neuropathy, prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, hypertension, and COPD due to insufficient opinions regarding direct service connection. The Veteran is also requested to provide additional private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for COPD, lung cancer, an oncocytoma, and ESRD due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. Additional development is needed to obtain updated VA treatment records and expert medical opinions.

The Board has denied service connection for a respiratory disability, including COPD and asthma. The issue of secondary service connection for obstructive sleep apnea on the basis of PTSD is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for COPD and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus with Nephropathy due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection, including a need for VA examinations.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a pulmonary lung disorder, bilateral shoulder osteoarthritis, and thoracolumbar spine osteoarthritis have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran has these conditions as part of his already service-connected generalized arthritic process.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not result in total occupational and social impairment, but he experienced significant functional limitations. The rating for PTSD remains at 70 percent.,For the left knee strain, there is no evidence of compensable limitation beyond the minimum required by Diagnostic Code 5260 (limitation of flexion).,Similarly, for right knee strain, there is no evidence of compensable limitation beyond the minimum required by Diagnostic Code 5261 (limitation of extension).,The Veteran's hypothyroidism does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7903.,There is insufficient evidence to support service connection for COPD or Sleep Apnea.,Service connection for Chloracne was denied due to lack of nexus between current condition and in-service exposure.,No new evidence has been presented to reopen the claim for skin disability.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disorder, finding that the Veteran does not have a current respiratory disorder related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not related to any in-service exposure, including asbestos or carbon tetrachloride. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of service connection for COPD.

The Board has granted service connection for a pulmonary disorder, including asbestosis, COPD, and emphysema, finding that the Veteran's exposure to asbestos during his military service is related to his current conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service or any related conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD and obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected sinusitis. The initial rating for maxillary and ethmoid sinusitis is also granted at a 30 percent level.