COPD decisions — 2020

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting evidence regarding a diagnosis of COPD in the record. The Veteran's respiratory condition is being examined again and updated treatment records are needed.

The Veteran's service-connected COPD is rated at a 10 percent disability evaluation, effective the date of service connection.

The Board has decided the case is remanded due to insufficient reasoning in the original decision regarding the cause of death and the need for additional medical opinions on the etiology of the Veteran's cancers.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including COPD, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, gall bladder removal complications, inguinal hernia, left and right knee conditions, rotator cuff tears, and sleep apnea. The case must be returned to VA for further action.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma exacerbation, a respiratory disability (COPD), and bilateral pulmonary embolism as there is no evidence of current disabilities or in-service events that are causally related to his military service.

The Veteran's OSA with residuals of right pleuritis and right basal pneumonia with COPD is granted a 50 percent evaluation from February 22, 2010. The TDIU claim is also granted.

The claims for service connection for COPD, a lumber spine disability (post laminectomy syndrome), sleep apnea, hepatitis C, angina post laminectomy syndrome, cardiomyopathy, diabetes mellitus type II, heart disease to include coronary artery disease status post CABG, and a skin rash have all been denied.,The claim for service connection for the cause of death has also been denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether Agent Orange exposure caused or contributed to the Veteran's death from aortic valve stenosis and COPD. The cause of death was revised to include end stage renal failure, with contributing factors of MDS and COPD.

The Board has granted service connection for TB residuals. The issue of service connection for a respiratory disorder other than TB residuals, to include COPD, is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for prostate cancer, heart disease disability, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, respiratory condition, and upper torso left side scar associated with lung surgery due to potential herbicide exposure. The AOJ is instructed to obtain deck logs from USS Ranger and USS Hancock (CVA-19) and determine if they were within 12 nautical miles of Vietnam during the Veteran's service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for COPD, cervical condition, and bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate examinations and exposure to burn pits during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including back disability, right leg sciatica, left leg sciatica, hip disabilities, ankle and foot disabilities, respiratory issues, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy have been denied as the evidence does not establish a link between these conditions and service.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for various conditions including loss of muscle mass, degenerative joint disease, blood disorder, respiratory disorder, gastrointestinal disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorders all claimed as resulting from exposure to ionizing radiation. The decision was made due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune contributed to his death from COPD.

The Veteran's claims for left knee and lung conditions were reopened, but service connection was denied. The rating for hypertension was also denied. Other issues related to PTSD, COPD, and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus and COPD, as there were procedural issues and need for additional evidence. The Veteran's service connection claim is being reviewed again due to a lack of clarity in previous examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and requests for a new VA examination with a pulmonologist.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD and a bilateral foot condition is granted. The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing conditions worsened during his active duty, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD has been granted and assigned a 100% rating effective December 13, 2011. The appeal is dismissed as the benefit sought on appeal was granted in full.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease (IHD) and remanded the issues of service connection for COPD and Parkinson's disease, as well as the TDIU claim. The decision is mixed, with some issues being granted and others not.