COPD decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a respiratory disorder and nasal polyps due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations. The Veteran's COPD, sinusitis, rhinitis, obstructive airway disease, nasal polyps, and small airway disease are being evaluated further.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for thyroid cancer, lung cancer, and COPD due to new evidence. The cases are remanded for a VA opinion on whether these conditions are related to Agent Orange exposure during service.

The Board denied a compensable rating for service-connected squamous cell lung cancer, finding no local recurrence or metastasis during the appeal period and attributing current COPD symptoms to smoking rather than the lung cancer.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, and COPD. The Board found that there is no evidence to support a link between her in-service viral infection and her current respiratory conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disorder, finding that the current respiratory disorder is not causally related to service and did not find evidence of in-service exposure to Agent Orange or other presumptive conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate August 2019 VA opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's respiratory disorder, specifically asthma. The examiner did not consider the Veteran's credible assertions about his exposure to jet fuel and asbestos on the flight line during service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for COPD, asthma, a disability manifested by high cholesterol, hypertension, and a back disability due to additional development being necessary.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for COPD, bronchial asthma, eczematous dermatitis, chronic sinusitis, cephalgia, and sleep apnea due to unresolved medical evidence.,No specific rating was assigned as all issues are currently being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his exposure and treatment during service, as well as a need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for COPD as the current condition is not causally related to service, including exposure to noxious fumes during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with major depressive disorder and adjustment disorder has been granted.,The claims for COPD, residuals of a right hamstring pull, bilateral hand disability, bilateral arm disability, and bilateral leg disability (other than residuals of a right hamstring pull) have not been reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's asbestosis with COPD was rated at 60 percent prior to December 12, 2019. As of that date, the rating was increased to 100 percent.,Prior to December 12, 2019, the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a 100 percent rating based on his FEV-1/FVC ratio.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a pulmonary disability and a psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's service connection for a respiratory disorder, to include COPD, was denied. The rating in excess of 10 percent for ischemic heart disease and the scar from coronary surgery associated with ischemic heart disease were also denied. Additionally, the Board found that there was no evidence to support an earlier effective date for TDIU prior to May 19, 2010.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee osteoarthritis and COPD, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence to establish service connection for COPD as secondary to PTSD based on tobacco use. The Veteran's history of smoking is unclear, and additional records are needed to clarify his smoking habits.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disorder and vertigo, finding no evidence of in-service exposure or causation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate opinions regarding his respiratory and leg disabilities. The VA will need to provide new opinions addressing whether these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for COPD due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service or service-connected conditions. For prostate cancer residuals, a rating of 60 percent was granted since November 1, 2010.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.