COPD decisions — 2021

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder other than his already service-connected lung cancer and left pleural plaques, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or showing they became manifest during service.

The Board has determined that additional medical examinations and opinions are needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including skin disease, bladder condition, heart disorder, and COPD. The issues have been remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed respiratory conditions of sarcoidosis and COPD, finding no probative medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service or presumed herbicidal agent exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous directives and the need for an addendum opinion by a pulmonologist. The Veteran's respiratory conditions, including bronchial asthma/COPD, allergic rhinosinusitis, and bronchiectasis, are being evaluated further.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the cause of the Veteran's death, specifically whether his fatal conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's cause of death was attributed to COPD, but service connection for the cause of death due to exposure to ionizing radiation and/or colon cancer is denied.

The Board has determined that additional VA medical opinions are needed to address the etiology of the Veteran's seizure disorder, vertigo, COPD, and osteoporosis. The claims for these conditions are being remanded.

The Board has found that the VA examination in May 2019 is inadequate for adjudication purposes and remanded for a new examination. The issues of service connection for asthma, COPD, and left hip replacement are all related due to the Veteran's diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, except for the grant of a 10% rating for right knee osteoarthritis. Other conditions and issues remained denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for COPD and PTSD, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The Veteran's COPD is not presumed due to herbicide exposure, and the Board found insufficient evidence to link it to asbestos exposure. For PTSD, the Board determined that the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 70% rating or higher.

The Veteran's asthma with emphysema and COPD was granted a disability rating of 60 percent, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory disorder, including asthma, COPD, and bronchiolitis, is related to his military service exposure to burn pits in Iraq.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and failure to address all theories of entitlement. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, including COPD, is being reviewed again with an additional VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD and restrictive lung disease as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected heart disability, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are caused by his heart disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating of asthma with chronic bronchitis due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the respiratory disorders. The Veteran's exposure history is not specified.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for COPD, OSA, and diabetes mellitus type II due to inadequate etiology opinions provided by VA examiners. The examiner is required to provide a new opinion addressing whether these conditions are related to active duty service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's lung conditions, including shortness of breath, COPD, emphysema, and pulmonary nodules. The case will be remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board found that the Veteran's emphysema/COPD did not have its inception during active duty and was more likely caused by his use of tobacco. As a result, service connection for emphysema/COPD is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease contributed substantially or materially to his death, and thus grants service connection for cause of death.

The Board denied service connection for cervical dysplasia and COPD, finding that the Veteran's current conditions were not related to her military service.