COPD decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for a lower back disorder but denied service connection for a pulmonary disorder (chronic bronchitis and COPD). The lower back disorder is found to be at least as likely as not related to active duty service. However, the pulmonary disorder is not related to active duty service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for cervical spine, COPD, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome have been granted. The claim for knee disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, TDIU, and SMC based on need for aid and attendance were all denied as there is no evidence of a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for updated VA and private treatment records, as the Veteran provided information about his ongoing treatment at Beckley VAMC and from Dr. Remines.

The Veteran's lung disability (claimed as asthma) was not pending at the time of his death, and therefore, accrued benefits for this condition are denied.

The Board denied service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and heart condition, finding that the evidence did not support a current diagnosis of these conditions.,Service connection was also denied for common variable immune deficiency sinusitis due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has reopened the service connection claim for asthma and remanded the issues of service connection for COPD, emphysema, and allergic rhinitis due to new evidence received since the last final denial.

The Veteran's IBS is granted a 30 percent rating.,Service connection for COPD and sleep disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence.,Joint pain of ankles, knees, lower legs, shoulders, arms, and wrists are remanded due to insufficient evidence.,GERD and erectile dysfunction are remanded due to insufficient evidence.,No effective date provided as the decision is for appeal purposes only.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed. The appeal to establish entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability was denied. Appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and COPD were withdrawn prior to the Board decision.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinion regarding Agent Orange exposure and COPD. The Veteran is asked to provide additional medical evidence, including an opinion from his treating physician Dr. M.L., and a VA addendum opinion must be provided.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not contribute to his death, and the Board found that liposarcoma was not a contributory cause of sepsis. The Board denied service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's COPD has been granted an increased disability rating of 30 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The TDIU claim is being remanded for further action.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and entitlement to SMC based on aid and attendance or housebound status due to his service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding that COPD was incurred in service, nor did it show he required regular aid and assistance or be permanently confined to his premises.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty about whether the Veteran served within 12 nautical miles of the Republic of Vietnam, which could affect his eligibility for presumptive service connection for lung cancer.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, COPD, back disorder, heart disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and TDIU are being remanded for further development.,VA treatment records from January 2018 need to be obtained.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the VA examiner not providing an opinion regarding chronic rhinitis and whether it is related to service, including exposure to asbestos. The case must be returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an abdominal scar, acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD, depression, and anxiety), and COPD due to conflicting evidence and lack of verification of claimed stressors.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is a result of environmental exposure during service in Southwest Asia, and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination regarding service connection for COPD and asbestosis.

The Board denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issues of service connection for respiratory disability and rating for residuals of an infection of the right long finger.