COPD decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); stroke residuals; seizure disorder; and defective vision due to inconsistencies in medical opinions and a need for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted. Claims for acid reflux, COPD, bilateral tinea pedis, hemorrhoids, bronchitis, pseudofolliculitis barbae, left ankle condition, right ankle condition, diverticulitis, migraines, back condition, and neck condition were denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for rheumatoid arthritis, a respiratory disability (including asthma and obstructive chronic bronchitis), and left eye amblyopia have been granted. The appeals are remanded for further development regarding other issues.

The Veteran's cause of death is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and VA treatment records.

The Veteran's COPD is granted at a maximum rating of 100% since September 18, 2017. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened and remains pending. Service connection for the ventral hernia disability is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the Veteran's respiratory conditions and their relationship to service, specifically exposure to herbicide agents and tear gas.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the severance of service connection for COPD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and COPD due to incomplete development, including a lack of research on potential herbicide agent exposure during his 1969 service in Korea. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional records and opinions regarding these issues.

The Veteran's COPD is granted as related to in-service exposure to asbestos and construction particulates.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety, other specified trauma-related disorder, or depression, is denied due to lack of a valid diagnosis under DSM-5 criteria.,Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied as not having manifested within one year of separation from service or being otherwise related to service exposure.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disability, including asthma and COPD, and for a right knee disability due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected asthma.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's residuals of pulmonary tuberculosis, including pulmonary scarring, and his respiratory disorder (asthma and COPD), finding that these conditions are related to in-service aggravation of preexisting TB.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for TBI, PTSD, asbestosis, acquired respiratory conditions, and pleural plaques. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his acquired respiratory conditions is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD) and his respiratory disorders, specifically bronchitis and COPD. The examiner is asked to provide an opinion on whether CAD causes or aggravates these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a breathing disorder, finding that the Veteran's current asthma and COPD did not have their onset during military service and are more likely due to his long history of smoking.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current diagnosis and military service, including exposure to asbestos.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to potential PACT Act exposure and need for an addendum opinion regarding COPD.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, finding that the evidence did not support a causal relationship between the Veteran's in-service asbestos exposure and his current COPD.

The Veteran's back disability, diagnosed as lumbar degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis, is now granted.,The Veteran's right foot disability (pes planus), left foot disability (pes planus), right ankle disability (chronic right ankle sprain), and right hand disability (carpal tunnel syndrome) are all now granted. The Veteran's COPD claim remains pending as it was remanded.