COPD decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the claims for COPD, kidney cancer, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's service on submarines is noted as a potential exposure basis.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's respiratory disorders are related to his service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not contribute to or cause his drowning and heart conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss, COPD, and diabetes mellitus type 2 have all been denied. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating in any of these cases.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus and COPD due to incomplete opinions from the July 2021 examiner. The Veteran needs additional opinions addressing the etiology of his disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for COPD and emphysema, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service. The Board also denied service connection for Alzheimer's disease and dementia, concluding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his time in service.,Service connection was not granted for either COPD or Alzheimer's disease as the medical evidence did not support a link between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, finding that there is no competent and probative evidence linking his COPD to his time in service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on all listed conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including COPD, bronchitis, and sinusitis; service connection for a low back disorder; and TDIU due to newly submitted VA treatment records. These matters will be reconsidered by the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ).

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current respiratory disorder or an acquired psychiatric disability, but finds in favor of service connection for an unspecified trauma- or stressor-related disorder.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasoning in its previous decision regarding whether service-connected disabilities contributed to the Veteran's death. The claim will be reconsidered with an addendum opinion from a qualified medical professional.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory condition, including asthma, allergic rhinitis, and COPD, is remanded due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of his conditions. The claims file must be provided to a VA physician who will provide an addendum opinion addressing the nature and etiology of the Veteran's respiratory condition.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for asthma and COPD due to a lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives. The VA examiner is requested to provide addendum opinions addressing the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, including exposure to jet fuel or other chemicals during service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, but his bilateral hearing loss and respiratory conditions are denied. The cases for rheumatic fever, arthritis condition, and heart condition secondary to rheumatic fever are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's lung disorder, including thrush, COPD, and emphysema. The focus is on whether these conditions are related to service exposure during active duty.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease has been dismissed due to the death of the claimant.

The Board has denied service connection for a lung disability, including COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, and emphysema. The Veteran's right ring finger, back, cervical spine, and psychiatric disabilities have been found to preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to October 10, 2012. Service connection has also been denied for a right foot disability and a right hip disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is related to his in-service exposure to smoke and gas, and thus service connection for a respiratory disorder is granted.