COPD decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right leg neurological disability, respiratory disability (COPD), and total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to July 19, 2016 due to inadequate examinations. The issues are related to his in-service asbestos and lead exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including COPD and asthma, finding that there is no evidence of in-service injury or exposure to asbestos/tear gas. The preponderance of the evidence supports the conclusion that the current respiratory condition did not begin during active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lung disorder, claimed as COPD and emphysema, is not service-connected due to lack of evidence supporting a nexus between his current condition and service. The heart disorder, hypertension, and stroke residuals claims are remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including COPD, finding that there was no probative medical evidence linking any in-service exposure to herbicide agents to his current respiratory disability. The appeal is therefore denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lung disorder, including COPD and asbestosis. The VA examiner is asked to provide an opinion on whether the diagnosed lung disorder was at least as likely as not caused by asbestos exposure in service and if it was aggravated by service-connected atrial fibrillation.

The Board has determined that the VA examination provided in August 2021 is inadequate for adjudicative purposes and requires a new examination to determine if the Veteran's breathing disorder, including COPD and asthma, are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for interstitial lung disease, asbestosis, emphysema, COPD, and pulmonary fibrosis with lung nodules have been denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against finding a causal relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection for various conditions as it lacks jurisdiction due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, COPD, TBI, an allergy to petroleum products, and tuberculosis. The cases are REMANDED for further development.

The Board denied service connection for cardiovascular, vascular, and respiratory disorders due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for left ear hearing loss, CHF, and a respiratory disorder due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of a recent article linking ankylosing spondylitis and COPD, as well as the need for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for COPD.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's cause of death is related to or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because he died during the pendency of his claims, and no one is eligible to take his place in the appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that the preponderance of evidence does not support a link between his current condition and active service or exposure to harmful substances.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's COPD was incurred during active service from March 1958 to February 1961. The decision also notes that the December 2019 letter from a private physician found a positive nexus between the Veteran's COPD and exposure to asbestos in service at Camp Chaffee.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma and COPD are remanded due to a duty to assist error. A VA examination is needed to determine if his current lung disabilities, including asthma and COPD, are related to his military service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's respiratory disorder, including COPD and anemia, is not service-connected. The case is being sent back for further review.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were granted, with a 60% rating prior to December 17, 2020, and a 100% rating since then. The TTR and TDIU claims were denied.

The Veteran's respiratory conditions are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors, including the need for additional medical opinions and records.