COPD decisions — 2021

The Board has decided to remand the case due to new evidence suggesting a possible connection between the Veteran's COPD/emphysema and service, specifically his exposure to asbestos and welding fumes while serving aboard the U.S. Stickell.

The Board has remanded the claim due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's respiratory condition, including COPD, and his service. The case is returned for further examination and a new opinion.

The Board denied service connection for COPD as the evidence did not support a link between the Veteran's active duty service and his current condition.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 60 percent for asbestosis with COPD is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of newly received evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities because there is insufficient evidence on whether the Veteran's diabetes is related to his in-service asbestos exposure or his service-connected COPD with sleep apnea. The VA examiner needs to provide an opinion regarding the etiology of the diabetes, including its relationship to both asbestos exposure and COPD.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for COPD and sleep apnea, as well as a TDIU based on service-connected disabilities, are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinion regarding post-bronchodilator FEV-1/FVC results.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as incurred in service, while his bilateral hearing loss and COPD are denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for CAD and service connection for lung disability and left foot disability are remanded due to the need for additional development, including examinations.

The Board denied service connection for COPD and OSA, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death, finding that his ischemic heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are related to herbicide agent exposure during active duty in Thailand.

The Board has granted service connection for a respiratory disability, including emphysema, COPD, and mixed restrictive and obstructive lung disease, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his active service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the cause of the Veteran's death and whether any service-connected conditions contributed to or aggravated those causes. The appellant is seeking service connection for the cause of her husband's death.

The Board has remanded the claims for chronic bronchitis and COPD due to Agent Orange exposure, as the VA examinations provided were inadequate. The Veteran's service records show treatment for chronic bronchitis during service, but no further documentation until 1994. The examiner must provide a reasoned opinion regarding whether it is at least as likely as not that the conditions are related to service or due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and remanded the issue of service connection for a respiratory condition. The Veteran's claim for respiratory conditions, including asthma and COPD, is being remanded due to inadequate VA opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service. The most persuasive medical opinion against the claim was based on a VA examination in November 2019.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that her current respiratory condition is not related to her military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his in-service tuberculosis and his current COPD.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for COPD is remanded due to incomplete VA examinations and the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in the VA examiners' opinions regarding the Veteran's COPD and its relation to service, particularly exposure to asbestos and jet fuel fumes. The Veteran is requested to provide an addendum opinion from a pulmonologist.

The Veteran's COPD is not service connected, as it was not caused by his active service or any incident therein, including exposure to herbicides. The Board found that the COPD is more likely due to his smoking history.