COPD decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD was denied as the evidence did not support a finding that his condition began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,For chronic sinusitis, prior to January 5, 2010, the Veteran was denied a compensable rating. From January 5, 2010 to December 6, 2019, he was denied a rating in excess of 10 percent. Effective from December 6, 2019, his sinusitis with headaches received a maximum schedular rating.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a chronic respiratory disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder have been denied. The Board has remanded the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to its complexity.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service. The COPD was attributed to a long history of smoking rather than asbestos exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected asbestosis. The issue of service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) claimed as related to asbestos exposure is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lung cancer and respiratory disability. The Veteran is presumed to have been exposed to asbestos during service, but there is no direct evidence linking his current conditions to this exposure.

The Veteran's COPD was rated as 10% prior to August 5, 2019 and 30% thereafter. The Board found that the current evidence did not support a higher rating for COPD.,For his right rotator cuff tendonitis with resolved glenohumeral joint dislocation, the Veteran was granted a 20% rating prior to December 8, 2015 and denied any increase in rating thereafter.

The Board has remanded the claims for a respiratory disability and skin disability due to exposure to herbicides, as there is insufficient evidence of current diagnoses or direct service connection.,The Veteran's claims were previously denied in April 2013, but were reopened in December 2013. The claims are now being reviewed again.

The Veteran's lung disability, now diagnosed as COPD, is rated at a 10% since January 27, 2019. Prior to that date, the rating was denied.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed left hip, left knee, and left shoulder conditions as well as his COPD/shortness of breath condition due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's cause of death was due to non-small cell lung carcinoma and COPD, which were not incurred during active service. The Board denied the claim for service connection as there is no evidence linking his cause of death to herbicide exposure or any in-service event.

The Veteran's Hodgkin's lymphoma is granted service connection due to exposure at Camp Lejeune. The Veteran's atrial fibrillation, CHF, emphysema, and COPD are also granted as secondary to his Hodgkin's lymphoma.

The Board has decided that the service connection for a pulmonary disability, including COPD and asbestosis, needs further clarification due to conflicting diagnoses. The Veteran's smoking history is established but the role of asbestos exposure in his COPD development or severity remains unclear.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death, finding that no service-connected disability caused or contributed to his death.

The Veteran's service connection claims for tremors of the left and right upper extremities associated with Parkinsonism are granted. The claim for COPD is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including asbestosis, COPD, bronchitis, and emphysema, finding no evidence of asbestos exposure or related disability.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than March 5, 2014 for the award of service connection for COPD is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a pulmonary disorder, including COPD and asthma, finding no evidence of herbicide exposure or other in-service injury that could link his current conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's respiratory disability, specifically whether his asbestos exposure in service contributed to or aggravated his current condition.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for respiratory conditions and rheumatoid arthritis due to a lack of STRs, and further development is needed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient explanation in a previous medical opinion regarding alternative theories of entitlement.