COPD decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for respiratory, sinus, diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, back, left knee, and right knee disabilities are being remanded due to insufficient evidence or lack of clear rationale in the previous VA examination. The claims for hearing loss and tinnitus are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining private medical records and seeking an opinion on whether hypertension is secondary to service-connected CAD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for melanoma, bilateral hearing loss, a respiratory condition (previously evaluated as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), and an acquired psychiatric disorder including depression and memory loss are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for chest infections, emphysema, and COPD due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's lay statements of exposure during service are also considered.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for worsening of a heart condition due to VA treatment delays, requesting additional evidence and opinions.

The Veteran's COPD was not shown in service or for several years thereafter, and is not otherwise related to his active duty service. The Board denied the claim as there is no evidence of an in-service diagnosis of COPD or any other similar chronic lung disability.

The Veteran's asbestosis and COPD were granted an initial increased evaluation of 30 percent prior to April 5, 2017. The claim for a higher rating since that date was denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to new evidence submitted after a previous denial.

The Veteran's claims have been dismissed due to their death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims as they are now moot.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed respiratory disease related to his service, including exposure to fumes and asbestos. The preponderance of evidence is against finding any connection between the Veteran's current respiratory conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD with memory loss is granted. The claims for diabetes mellitus II, left and right lower peripheral neuropathy, sleep apnea syndromes, hypertension, COPD, and GERD are denied.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his death was not caused by or related to service, including in-service Agent Orange exposure.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, finding that the Veteran's current condition is more likely due to his long history of smoking rather than exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune or asbestos in service.

The appeal of COPD service connection is dismissed. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for asbestosis and COPD, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his in-service exposure to asbestos.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including COPD with emphysema, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service or herbicide exposure. The decision also noted that smoking history played a significant role in the development of his condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an addendum opinion to determine if the Veteran's COPD is related to his service-connected asbestosis.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error in the June 2020 rating decision, as the VA examiner's opinion was based on an inaccurate factual basis.

The Board has remanded the claims for chronic sinusitis and emphysema/COPD due to new evidence and contentions regarding asbestos exposure during service.

The Board denied service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and heart disorder, finding that the conditions were not incurred or related to service.