COPD decisions — 2021

The Board has granted service connection for chest infections, emphysema, and COPD as secondary to chest infections. The Veteran's current conditions are considered to be related to his military service due to exposure to environmental factors during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and a respiratory disability have been granted. The claim for residuals of bilateral foot frostbite injuries or cold exposure is still pending.,An initial rating in excess of 50 percent for the service-connected PTSD with depressive disorder, not otherwise specified, and mental manifestations of Parkinson's disease is also pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudicative action due to issues related to compensation claims under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for OSA, respiratory disabilities, a psychiatric disability, and claudication.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his COPD was related to asbestos exposure during active service and contributed substantially to his respiratory failure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for asbestosis and COPD, finding no current diagnosis of asbestosis and insufficient evidence linking COPD to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a link between his current condition and in-service exposure to asbestos, diesel fumes, or air pollution.

The Veteran's service connection for type II diabetes mellitus is granted. The claims for increased disability rating for left knee, bilateral hip condition and neurocognitive disorder are remanded due to new evidence added to the record. Service connection for diastolic heart failure, hypertension, asthma, COPD and sleep apnea, as well as bilateral hearing loss and seizure disorder are also remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder, cirrhosis of the liver, and COPD. The Board found that there was no evidence of continuity of symptomatology or chronicity within one year of separation from service, and that the claimed disorders were not related to medication received in service for syphilis.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of pneumonia and COPD, finding no causal relationship to the Veteran's active service. The claim for secondary service connection for COPD due to depressive disorder with insomnia was also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for ischemic heart disease, COPD, and hardened arteries due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's service records do not show a diagnosis or treatment for these conditions during his military service.

The Veteran's COPD is related to in-service exposure to solvents and other cleaning materials.,Right leg PAD and left leg PAD are secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus.,There is no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD or any acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal, and thus has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this case.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's cause of death is not service-connected and has remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of his COPD and whether any service-connected disabilities contributed to his death.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's COPD and chronic hyperventilation syndrome are related to her service or a service-connected psychiatric disability, specifically her depressive/anxiety disorder NOS.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for peripheral vascular disease and COPD has been granted. The right common femoral artery endarterectomy, bilateral angioplasty of common iliac arteries with kissing iliac stents scar associated with peripheral vascular disease is not compensable under the applicable rating criteria.

The Veteran's chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, coronary artery disease, hypertension and tinnitus are all granted as service-connected.,Bilateral hearing loss is denied due to lack of evidence showing a current disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral knee osteoarthritis and instability, likely preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation as of August 30, 2018. Prior to this date, the disabilities did not prevent employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for tinea on the back, acne vulgaris, a respiratory disability (COPD), sinusitis, and vertigo as there is no current evidence of these conditions during or close to the appeal period.,Service records show treatment for various respiratory issues in service but no diagnosis of COPD. The Veteran's current COPD is attributed to tobacco use.