COPD decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the cause of the Veteran's COPD, specifically whether exposure to Agent Orange caused or aggravated his condition.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy, rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance as of June 5, 2018. His effective date for SMC based on this condition is now confirmed.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to an inadequate medical opinion. The Veteran's attorney argues that the VA examiner did not consider all relevant evidence and applied an overly high standard of certainty.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause of death and exposure history. The Veteran's death is from COPD and CAD, but the exact causes are unclear.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of various conditions due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not incurred during his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for COPD and sleep apnea due to a pre-decisional error. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the COPD and sleep apnea issues.

Effective from December 14, 2017, the Veteran's claim for a 60% rating for organic heart disease is granted. Effective dates for service connection of sleep apnea, hand tremors, and COPD are set at the date of receipt of the application.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for COPD and entitlement to TDIU prior to June 22, 2021 due to incomplete opinions and need for additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further action due to insufficient evidence regarding his claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, eye disability, and COPD. The claims will be reconsidered with new examinations and opinions.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's COPD, the severity of his CAD and pleural plaquing, and whether he should be granted a TDIU. The issues include service connection for COPD, an increased rating for CAD, and a higher evaluation for pleural plaquing.

The Veteran's headaches started during service and continued until his death. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's headaches had their onset in service, and grants service connection for headaches.,Regarding the acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, Anxiety Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, Schizoaffective Disorder), the Board notes there are several diagnoses present. Adequate opinions have not been obtained that separately address each theory of entitlement and psychiatric disorder that the Veteran was diagnosed with during the period on appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sinusitis and a respiratory disorder, as well as entitlement to a TDIU rating due to inadequate rationale in the VA examiner's opinions. Development is needed to obtain an adequate medical opinion with sufficient rationale.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is due to exposure to aircraft exhaust and jet fuel in service, and thus grants entitlement to service connection for a respiratory disability.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,Claims for ischemic heart disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure were also denied, with service connection not being granted based on presumed exposure.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a pulmonary disorder, including chronic bronchitis, due to incomplete compliance with previous remand instructions and the need for an adequate medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the relationship between in-service asbestos exposure and the Veteran's cause of death, which includes COPD, aortic and mitral valve replacement, and coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for COPD, which was secondary to herbicide agent exposure, has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate this claim as it is no longer pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted. A 10% disability rating is assigned for bilateral hearing loss effective May 23, 2014.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's COPD is related to service, including exposure to asbestos and gas fumes in engine rooms.