COPD decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the current ratings for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, low back disorder, respiratory disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder are all at their maximum allowable levels or do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for COPD due to herbicide exposure and/or secondary to PTSD. The VA medical opinions provided were inadequate, and another addendum opinion is needed.

The Veteran's service-connected COPD and bilateral knee disabilities are found to be at least as likely as not a cause for why the Veteran required assistance with activities of daily living. The VA has made errors in obtaining relevant medical records, and thus remand is necessary to obtain these records and provide an addendum opinion.

The Board has vacated the denial of service connection for tinnitus and remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, COPD, skin cancer, a back disability, and a heart disability. The Veteran's testimony at his September 2021 hearing provided evidence in support of these claims.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and an initial compensable evaluation for pleural plaques due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a respiratory disorder is remanded due to outstanding medical questions. An examination is needed to determine the nature and likely cause of any respiratory disorders present during her appeal period.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and a respiratory disorder with allergic manifestations to include asthma, also known as allergic bronchitis. The Board found that there was no evidence of COPD during service or at any time since service, and that the diagnosed condition is not related to active service or any service-connected conditions.

Service connection for liver disorder, heart disorder, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type 2, right lower extremity disorder, left lower extremity disorder, kidney disorder, and COPD was denied.,The Veteran's service treatment records did not show any relevant conditions or exposures that would support these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD and Obstructive Sleep Apnea is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been granted, rendering the appeal moot. The Board dismissed this issue as there is no justiciable issue before it.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypertension, sleep apnea, COPD, and a heart condition have been reopened. A rating of 20 percent has been granted for his lumbar spine disability since June 14, 2018.

The Veteran's respiratory conditions other than interstitial lung disease, including asthma, bronchitis, and COPD, are granted as service connected due to in-service exposure to toxic environmental exposures.

The Veteran's asthma was granted service connection. Service connection for COPD is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, including as due to ionizing radiation exposure during active duty in Guam, is being remanded due to a failure to consider the Veteran's exposure to ionizing radiation and herbicides. The Board will seek additional records from Federal agencies.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine the etiology of his respiratory disabilities, including chronic sinusitis, chronic bronchitis, and COPD. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to its inextricability with the service connection issue.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's COPD. The VA examiner did not address the STRs noting respiratory symptoms during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including knee disabilities, asthma, COPD, heart disability, hypertension, and carpal tunnel syndromes are all denied.,There is no evidence of any in-service injury or disease that could be linked to the current conditions.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a left ankle disability and remanded all other issues on appeal due to the need for additional development of the Veteran's service treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's respiratory disability, specifically his COPD and chronic bronchitis. The examiner needs to consider in-service exposure to petroleum-based fumes as a result of his military occupational specialty (MOS) as Aircraft Systems Chief Enlisted Manager.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his military service and his current condition.