COPD decisions — 2021

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right elbow disorder, coronary artery disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease may be related to his active service. However, due to a lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to service, the claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to conflicting medical evidence and failure to comply with prior remand instructions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with history of pneumonia has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for respiratory, elbow, shoulder, and knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence supporting these conditions. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD, finding that the Veteran's exposure to chemical agents during service is presumed and linked to his current condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory disorder, including COPD, sarcoidosis, fibrosis, and pneumoconiosis, is related to his military service. The decision grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD and a lumbar disability, finding that the Veteran's conditions are at least as likely as not incurred during his military service.

The Board denied service connection for Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of all joints, other than the lumbar spine and Respiratory disability including Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD) and emphysema. The decision found that there was no evidence to support these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's lung cancer is granted as service connected due to exposure to carcinogens in service and inflammation from his COPD. Effective November 16, 2020, he is rated at 100 percent for COPD with obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's lung disease (COPD), sleep apnea, and basal cell carcinoma are not service-connected. The claim for chloracne is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a respiratory disorder other than COPD and a skin disability due to Gulf War exposure was denied. The Board found no current evidence of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development regarding the Veteran's exposure to asbestos and his service-connected residua of granulomatous disease, which may be related to his COPD.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate examination reports and missing or unavailable service treatment records. The Veteran's STRs are largely illegible or missing, and VA has a heightened duty to assist in such cases.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lung disability and an increased rating for right ankle fracture due to inadequate reasons and bases in the previous decision, as well as the need for new medical opinions regarding the Veteran's exposure history and functional impairment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and respiratory disorders, including asthma and COPD. The case is being remanded due to inadequate VA medical opinions.

The Board has denied service connection for residuals of a flash burn to the eyes, pneumonia, and COPD due to insufficient evidence. The claims are remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for COPD as it is related to the Veteran's smoking habit, which is prohibited due to VA policy.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is caused by his service-connected left knee strain or bronchitis and COPD. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to address this issue.

The Board denied service connection for a lung disorder and remanded the issue of an increased evaluation for GERD. The Veteran's COPD was not sustained during his active duty service and is not related to any injury, illness, or event that occurred during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to inadequate medical opinions in previous decisions. The issues include bilateral hip disorder, hypertensive vascular disease, respiratory disorder (COPD), brain disorder, left knee strain, and right knee injury.