COPD decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, coronary artery disease (CAD), hypertension, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) due to incomplete VA treatment records and a lack of VA examination in connection with these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings on several disabilities have been remanded due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability was reopened and granted. An effective date of February 16, 2011 is assigned.,Service connection for TBI is granted with an effective date of February 16, 2011. The Veteran's increased rating claim for TBI is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD due to asbestos exposure is remanded.,Whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is remanded.,Service connection for TMJ dysfunction is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, finding that his asthma pre-existed service and was not aggravated by service. The Board also found no evidence of COPD or other respiratory disorders during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claims for asbestosis and COPD. The examiner is asked to provide an opinion on whether these conditions are related to service, including considering conflicting evidence from other sources.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and need for further medical evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asthma did not clearly and unmistakably pre-existed service, so it is premised on incorrect facts. The Veteran is to be provided with a new examination to consider whether his active service-related asthma is related to his current respiratory conditions.

The Board has remanded the claim for an addendum opinion to address whether the Veteran's service-connected conditions have caused or aggravated his obesity, which in turn may be a factor in causing his sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's respiratory conditions is inadequate and requires further development, including obtaining updated treatment records and a new medical opinion.

The Board has denied service connection for COPD and remanded the case for further development regarding the skin disorder. The decision on COPD is that it did not result from service, including exposure to burn pits during Operation Desert Storm. The skin disorder claim is being remanded due to an inadequate medical opinion.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a respiratory disorder, including COPD and chronic bronchiectasis, is denied. The Board found no evidence of a respiratory disorder during his military service and concluded that the current conditions are not causally related to any disease, injury, or incident in service, particularly due to presumed herbicide exposure.

The Board has dismissed all claims for service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for a seizure disorder and vertigo, both found to be secondary to service-connected conditions. Service connection for COPD is remanded due to conflicting medical evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70 percent rating effective October 31, 2019.,The Veteran is also granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities from October 31, 2019.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verification of the Veteran's employment and income since September 2011. The appeal is also remanded to determine if a TDIU should be assigned based on his service-connected recurrent pneumonia with lung scarring.

The Veteran's TDIU appeal is remanded due to incomplete employment information and a need for further development. The Veteran must provide updated occupational history, including employer names, addresses, contact information, dates of employment, job responsibilities, accommodation details, and income information.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for COPD, low back disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability due to incomplete service records and need for further development regarding his exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including a new VA examination to address issues related to service connection for COPD and the effects of obesity on the Veteran's respiratory disability.

The Board has denied service connection for COPD and Obstructive Sleep Apnea, finding that the conditions are not related to military service or a service-connected disability.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, left hip disorder, COPD, OSA, and bilateral hearing loss as the evidence did not show these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.,Service records showed no complaints of back pain during service. The Veteran reported onset in 1984 while stationed at the Great Lakes Navy base after he slipped and fell on some ice.