COPD decisions — 2021

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connection for accrued benefits purposes.,Service connection is granted for COPD to include as secondary to service-connected CAD, but hepatitis C is denied as secondary to service-connected disabilities.,A rating higher than 30 percent for CAD and a rating higher than 70 percent for depression are both denied.,An effective date earlier than March 17, 2011, for the grant of service connection for depression is denied.

Service connection for COPD was denied as the Veteran's current condition is attributed to smoking rather than service or any service-connected disabilities.,An increased rating in excess of 30 percent for epididymitis was also denied, with the Board finding that there is no evidence of renal dysfunction or urinary leakage.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of COPD with emphysema and a lumbar spine condition, finding no nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's in-service asbestos exposure and his cause of death. The VA examiner needs to provide a detailed opinion on whether these respiratory and cardiovascular issues were at least as likely as not caused by the Veteran's service.

The Board has remanded the claims for right lower extremity neurological disability and respiratory disability due to additional development being necessary. The Veteran's service connection claims are not about exposure to lead, asbestos or environmental contaminants.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a pulmonary disability, rating for migraines associated with TBI residuals, and ratings for TBI. The VA is also required to obtain additional treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the Veteran's death from COPD and his exposure to mycobacterium avium (MA) during service. The VA needs to obtain a new opinion on whether the in-service exposure contributed substantially or materially to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's asbestosis with COPD has been granted a 60% rating from March 24, 2018. Prior to this date, the condition was not service-connected.

The Veteran's COPD is rated at 60 percent, and the combined rating of all service-connected disabilities exceeds 70 percent. The Veteran meets the criteria for a TDIU since his service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following any substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's COPD and his service, particularly his presumed exposure to Agent Orange. The VA is instructed to obtain additional records and provide a medical opinion on the etiology of the respiratory disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for respiratory disability, including lung cancer and COPD, finding that his conditions are not related to his military service, particularly due to his long-standing smoking habit.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for COPD, GERD, esophagitis, and asthma due to ambiguity in diagnoses and need for clarification on etiology. The Veteran is requested to undergo further examinations by a pulmonologist, gastroenterologist, and possibly an otolaryngologist.

The Board dismissed the appeals due to the death of the appellant, as they have no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims at this time.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, COPD, bronchiectasis, allergic rhinitis, and sleep apnea. The issues have been remanded due to incomplete development.

The Board has dismissed the veteran's appeals for service connection of peripheral neuropathy and COPD due to his spouse's request to withdraw her appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for prostate, heart, diabetes mellitus, COPD, and bilateral eye disabilities due to insufficient opinions regarding service connection. The VA is required to obtain new medical opinions addressing these issues.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for a respiratory disorder, asbestosis and COPD, and headaches due to incomplete evaluations and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA medical opinions and a need for a VA examination by a pulmonologist. The Veteran is presumed exposed to herbicide agents (Agent Orange) during service, but not to gunpowder residue.

The Veteran's COPD with chronic bronchitis and recurrent pneumonia was granted a 60 percent rating prior to August 7, 2019, and a 100 percent rating from August 7, 2019 forward. The Veteran also received a TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD and PVD, finding that the Veteran's conditions are etiologically related to his military service.