COPD decisions — 2021

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease, and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity. Service connection was denied for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, obstructive sleep apnea, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.,The Board found that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding these conditions, thus granting service connection based on the benefit of doubt.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service, including exposure to burning chemicals and sandstorms during his military service. As a result, the claim for service connection for COPD is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and his military service. The Board also found that exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune does not warrant presumptive service connection due to the lack of listed diseases.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death. The Board also found insufficient evidence to support the contention that COPD was caused by exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a collapsed lung, respiratory disorders including COPD and asthma, and sleep apnea is granted. The claims for respiratory disorder and sleep apnea are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudicative action due to unresolved issues regarding the Veteran's claims under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Veteran's service connection claims for COPD, sleep apnea, hypertension and GERD have been denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to toxic chemicals or other factors that would support a finding of service connection.,Service connection was not granted because the medical evidence does not show any link between the current disabilities and military service. The Veteran's assertions regarding in-service exposures were found to be unsupported by the record.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, finding that it was not incurred in service and was not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's hypertension has been granted service connection. The left trunk disability, hypothyroidism, and other conditions have been remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of the Veteran's private treatment records.

Service connection is granted for myeloid leukemia due to exposure to Camp Lejeune contaminated water. Other conditions are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for myelofibrosis, anemia, and COPD due to exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand. The VA will need to provide a medical examination to determine if these conditions are related to service or any other service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's cause of death was not due to service or a service-connected disability. The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's COPD, diabetes mellitus, and costochondritis to his military service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD due to new and material evidence. The case is remanded for a VA medical opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's COPD, including its relationship to herbicide exposure, fumes from firing weapons, and his service-connected tuberculosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for respiratory disorder, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) due to alleged exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including unspecified anxiety disorder, is granted. The claim for service connection for COPD is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient compliance with previous remand directives regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for a respiratory disability, including COPD. The remand includes verifying whether the Veteran served aboard the USNS Geiger and assessing his exposure to asbestos during active duty.

The Veteran's urticaria is granted as service connected. The respiratory and urinary disorders are remanded for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD and remanded the issue of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, respiratory disabilities (COPD and Pulmonary Fibrosis), hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, and hiatal hernia. The decision is based on the Veteran's competent lay reports of symptom onset during active service.