COPD decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the cases for a new VA examination to consider the Veteran's private physician's letter that suggests his current respiratory conditions may be related to his in-service asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's respiratory disorders, including COPD and bronchitis, are being remanded for further evaluation due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient compliance with previous directives and needs further examination to determine the extent of impairment from service-connected residuals of spontaneous pneumothorax.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion and non-compliance with previous directives.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and COPD due to new evidence received. The claims are now remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has dismissed all claims of entitlement to service connection for various conditions as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Veteran's mastectomy is not service connected as it was due to gynecomastia, which may be caused by alcohol use. The Board finds the evidence does not support a finding that the mastectomy is related to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.,The Veteran has COPD and lung nodules since 2015. The VA examiner found no evidence of hepatic steatosis being confirmed by a physician other than the radiologist, but there was an indication from a January 2015 treatment note that it may be related to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.,The Veteran has a heart condition and COPD since 2015. The VA examiner found no evidence of hepatic steatosis being confirmed by a physician other than the radiologist, but there was an indication from a January 2015 treatment note that it may be related to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.,The Veteran has lung nodules since 2015. The VA examiner found no evidence of hepatic steatosis being confirmed by a physician other than the radiologist, but there was an indication from a January 2015 treatment note that it may be related to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.,The Veteran has hepatic steatosis since 2015. The VA examiner found no evidence of hepatic steatosis being confirmed by a physician other than the radiologist, but there was an indication from a January 2015 treatment note that it may be related to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has found that the claims for service connection for right knee injury and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease need further development due to inadequate medical opinions. The case is being remanded to obtain addendum opinions from VA examiners.

The Veteran's service-connected asthma and COPD render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar DDD and COPD, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise that these conditions are related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for heart ailment, acute respiratory failure secondary to community-acquired pneumonia, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service event, illness, or injury.

The Board denied service connection for glaucoma, lipoma, and COPD as there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right ear hearing loss, right knee disability, nasal problems, sleep apnea, respiratory disability (to include asthma and COPD), right upper extremity ulnar neuropathy, left upper extremity ulnar neuropathy, PTSD, and social anxiety due to conflicting medical opinions and lack of clear and unmistakable aggravation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's respiratory disability, sinusitis, and vasomotor rhinitis. The VA examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether these conditions are related to active duty service.

The Board has decided one issue on appeal and remanded the remaining issues for further development. Additional development is necessary, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of COPD, a back disability, and PTSD. The right toe disability is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the Veteran's respiratory conditions and exposure history.

The Board denied service connection for emphysema, COPD, residuals of high fever to include a compromised immune system, OSA, and hypertension as the evidence did not support these claims.,Service connection was not granted because there was no medical evidence linking any of these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's respiratory disorders, including COPD, asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to his active service.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for COPD, finding that the Veteran's FEV-1 and other required lung function test results were not provided in a manner that would allow for a compensable rating.