COPD decisions — 2022

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that there was no causal link between his in-service exposures and his current condition. The VA opinion provided a definitive nexus opinion against the appeal.

The Board has granted the readjudication of previously denied claims for service connection for lumbosacral degenerative disc disease, cervical strain, and COPD. The issues have been remanded for additional examinations to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral eye conditions and COPD, finding that a VA examination is needed to address the etiology of these disabilities. The examiner should consider the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and his history of smoking in assessing whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to secure service records and to schedule an examination for the Veteran's respiratory disorder, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives, particularly regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's respiratory conditions. The Veteran is entitled to a VA examination to address these issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD and an acquired psychiatric disorder has been reopened, with the latter being granted. The decision on the merits of these claims will be remanded to the RO.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and a heart disability secondary to bronchitis due to the Veteran not attending scheduled VA examinations. The appeals are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction.

Service connection for COPD and OSA is granted, while service connection for CFS and Chronic Pain Condition are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and opinions regarding his claimed disabilities. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, asthma, and COPD are granted service connection. The respiratory disabilities are presumed related to exposure to burn pits while serving in Afghanistan under the PACT Act.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disability, bilateral knee disabilities, and COPD due to herbicide exposure. The claims are not granted as there is no evidence of a service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and COPD have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to lack of substantial compliance with previous instructions. The Veteran's service connection claim for a chronic respiratory disorder, including COPD and chronic cough, is being reviewed again.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected asthma and COPD, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to respiratory and heart disorders, as well as atrial fibrillation and ventricular arrhythmia with pacemaker. The appeals are being returned to VA for further clarification of medical opinions regarding potential causes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for respiratory disability and sleep apnea, to include as secondary to service-connected disabilities, is denied. The Board found no current evidence of a respiratory disability or sleep apnea at the time of his claim.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's respiratory and neurological disabilities. The VA is instructed to obtain a more complete medical opinion from an appropriately qualified examiner.

The Veteran's kidney disease claim has been reopened and granted. The Board found new and material evidence to support the reopening of this claim.,Service connection for COPD, heart disease, ED, tinea pedis (toe fungus), right leg disability, and left leg disability have all been denied due to lack of in-service exposure or a link between service and these conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is dismissed as moot because he is already receiving a combined schedular rating of 100% and special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status.

The Board denied DIC benefits and service connection for the cause of death due to lack of evidence linking COPD and bronchial inflammation to service. The Veteran's death was attributed to COPD, but not service-connected.