COPD decisions — 2021

The Veteran's disability of the bilateral lower extremities and lung disorder were denied as not incurred in or aggravated by military service.,Both claims for disabilities of the bilateral lower extremities and a lung disorder were denied.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, bilateral lower hernia, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, right foot disorder, left foot disorder, skeletal arthritis, sinus disorder, COPD, headaches, right carpal tunnel syndrome, left carpal tunnel syndrome, depression, bilateral eye disorder, erectile dysfunction, or asbestosis. The Board has also found that the Veteran's service connection claims for these conditions are remanded due to outstanding in-service medical records and VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence sufficient to readjudicate the claims for service connection for CVID, COPD, and Cancer of the Ampulla has been received. The RO must address these issues on their merits.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is dismissed as moot because he is already receiving a 100% disability rating for his service-connected COPD and SMC based on housebound status, which covers the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's appeals for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, and sleep apnea have been withdrawn. The appeal for a higher rating for PTSD has been remanded due to the need for new evidence. The issue of service connection for sleep apnea is also being remanded as it may be related to PTSD. The TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as Vet Center treatment records. The Veteran's respiratory claim requires clarification of his diagnoses and an addendum opinion from a VA clinician. The right knee disability claims require another VA examination.

The Board has denied service connection for COPD and myocardial infarction as due to hypertension. Service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is remanded.,Service connection for COPD was denied because there is no evidence of a current disability. Service connection for myocardial infarction was denied based on the VA examiner's opinion that it was not proximately caused by service-connected hypertension.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including nicotine dependency, thyroid disorder, kidney disorder, GERD, diabetes mellitus, type II, hepatitis C and its residuals, peripheral artery disease, high blood pressure, COPD, multiple myeloma, chronic anemia, coronary arteriosclerosis disease, erectile dysfunction, and back disorder. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support these claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory condition and secondary service connection for COPD due to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma treatment. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection, as there was no in-service diagnosis or exposure to herbicide agents that could be linked to the current COPD. Secondary service connection was also denied because the medical opinions indicated that the COPD was more likely caused by the Veteran's own smoking history and not related to his non-Hodgkin's lymphoma treatment.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's COPD is aggravated by his service-connected adenocarcinoma of the lung.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, emphysema, and bronchitis due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities. The claim for TDIU was also denied as the Veteran did not have any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected respiratory disorder does not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's death was caused by pneumonia, myocardial infarction, and COPD. The Board has ordered a remand to determine if VA treatment contributed to the Veteran's condition prior to his death.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, hypertension, and a prostate condition on the basis that there was no evidence of their onset in service or relationship to herbicide exposure.,Service connection was also denied for these conditions due to lack of medical nexus between the conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for cause of death and burial benefits due to incomplete VA medical opinions regarding the Veteran's atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Service connection for cardiomyopathy, COPD, and renal disease claimed as related to herbicide exposure or contaminated water at Camp Lejeune is denied.,The Veteran's service treatment records do not show any relevant complaints or diagnoses. His current conditions are attributed to his history of cocaine abuse, smoking, hypertension, and pre-existing kidney issues.

The Veteran's COPD and emphysema, right radial neuropathy, right hallux valgus (based on service aggravation), and left hallux valgus (based on service aggravation) have been granted. The Veteran's right carpal tunnel syndrome has been denied as secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA medical opinions and a need for further development, including obtaining an independent medical opinion from a pulmonologist.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected carcinoma of the lung with post-operative right upper lobectomy and COPD was denied as his FEV-1/FVC readings were not less than 55 percent, which is required for a higher rating.

The Veteran's bladder cancer is granted service connection on a presumptive basis due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The claim for COPD is remanded as the Board failed to address whether it is secondary to PTSD.