COPD decisions — 2021

The Veteran's breathing disability and high blood pressure are service-connected due to herbicide exposure. However, the peripheral neuropathy claim is remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine its relationship to his PTSD.,Service connection for hypertension has been granted.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for OSA with squamous cell carcinoma of the lung and COPD, status post right VATS upper lobectomy was denied. Service connection for intestinal cancer was also denied.

The Veteran's cause of death was listed as heart failure and COPD. The Board has determined that the criteria for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 have not been met, and the claim is denied as a matter of law due to lack of total disability rating for at least 10 years immediately preceding his death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability and special monthly compensation at the housebound rate, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that it is not related to his active service. The evidence did not establish a continuity of symptoms since service and the VA examiner concluded that COPD was less likely due to asbestos exposure in service.

The Veteran's low back disorder, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease, is now granted service connection.,Service connection for a lung disorder (COPD) has been reopened and remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding its etiology.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition has been reopened, and the evidence is sufficient to establish a current disability. However, there is no evidence of a current COPD diagnosis.,Service connection for COPD was denied as there is no evidence of a current respiratory disability.

The Veteran's respiratory disability is denied, but the Board grants service connection for a medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness of unknown etiology with fatigue, throat irritation, and chest pain.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension due to herbicide exposure. Service connection is also remanded for residuals of malaria and COPD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic respiratory disorder, to include emphysema and COPD due to lack of evidence linking his current condition to service. The preponderance of the evidence indicated that his condition was caused by decades-long smoking.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, COPD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development due to issues related to his lung cancer residuals and peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has denied service connection for GERD, sleep apnea, bilateral pes planus, COPD, and pulled muscles (front and back) as these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active duty.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for the cause of death due to COPD and asthma, as it is unclear whether these conditions are related to military service or asbestos exposure. The VA needs to obtain a medical opinion regarding this issue.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a bilateral foot disability, COPD, residuals of a broken nose, and residuals of partially missing left thumb due to lack of available service treatment records. The Veteran was exposed to noise during service but did not seek medical attention.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an opinion on whether the Veteran's COPD is aggravated by his service-connected CAD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right shoulder and COPD disabilities due to outstanding VA treatment records not yet obtained. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the previously denied claims for COPD, back disability, right hip disability, and left hip disability. The RO is directed to obtain medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the lung, status post left thoracotomy; COPD was rated at 30 percent from March 1, 2018 to February 11, 2021.,Beginning February 12, 2021, a 100 percent rating for squamous cell carcinoma of the lung, status post left thoracotomy; COPD was granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further efforts by VA to obtain private treatment records from non-VA medical providers, including those from IU Health Methodist Hospital. The Appellant is advised to submit new VA Forms 21-4142 and 21-4142a if she wishes to have her private treatment records obtained.