COPD decisions — 2021

The Veteran's COPD was not shown in service or for several years thereafter, and is not otherwise related to his active duty service. The Board denied the claim as there was no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's COPD and his military service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, COPD, bilateral hearing loss, and degenerative arthritis of multiple joints. The Veteran's claims are not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a medical opinion regarding the cause of death and whether the Veteran's heart disease was related to service, including Agent Orange exposure. The case will be returned to the Board after further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a pulmonary condition, including asthma, emphysema, and COPD, as secondary to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an upper respiratory disorder, including pneumonia, bronchitis, and COPD, as well as entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance or at the housebound rate. The issues are inextricably intertwined due to their potential impact on each other.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is granted as secondary to his psychiatric impairment (adjustment disorder). The other conditions are denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected conditions or other health issues, and if any of these conditions were related to his military service.

The Veteran's earlier effective date for PTSD was withdrawn.,Service connection for COPD has been granted, with the condition being related to in-service asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted service connection. The initial disability rating for atopic allergic conjunctivitis with dry eyes remains denied, as the condition does not meet criteria for a higher rating based on visual impairment or incapacitating episodes. Bilateral hearing loss prior to December 10, 2020 and in excess of 10 percent thereafter is also denied. The Veteran's psychiatric disorder (unspecified depressive disorder) and COPD are remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to potential exposure to herbicide agents during his military service. The case will be reviewed again with a focus on verifying if the Veteran was part of an Air Force squadron permanently assigned to C-123 aircraft, which could support his claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory conditions are not related to his military service and have denied service connection for a respiratory disorder. The issue of an increased rating for neuralgia at T8 of the left intercostal root and degenerative joint and disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine is remanded.

The Board has found that the evidence submitted by the Veteran and his representative is new and relevant, but does not establish service connection for COPD due to herbicide exposure. The case is being remanded to obtain a medical opinion addressing whether COPD is related to service, including acknowledged exposure to herbicides.

The Board has determined that the November 2020 VA medical opinion is inadequate and not helpful to decide the Veteran's service connection claim for COPD. The case is being remanded to obtain a new addendum medical opinion addressing whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's diagnosed COPD was caused or aggravated by an in-service injury or disease, specifically exposure to asbestos.

The Veteran's service-connected COPD and bilateral knee disabilities are found to be at least as likely as not a cause for why the Veteran required assistance with activities of daily living. The VA has made errors in obtaining relevant medical records, and thus remand is necessary to obtain these records and provide an addendum opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including COPD and emphysema, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including COPD, sinusitis/rhinitis, and cardiovascular conditions, prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to December 30, 2008. The Board granted compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for left foot skin graft residuals and TDIU benefits effective March 16, 2005.

The Board is remanding the case due to inadequate development and needs additional opinions regarding the Veteran's respiratory disorder, specifically whether it is related to service-connected diabetes.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed respiratory disorders, including chronic bronchitis, COPD, and lung cancer. The case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and respiratory disorder (including asthma and COPD) due to insufficient development of medical evidence. The Veteran is requested to provide VA with any private treatment records, undergo VA examinations, and submit additional evidence if needed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that it is not related to his military service and attributing it to long-term tobacco use.