COPD decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service connection for COPD is granted due to a presumption of service connection based on his service in the Southwest Asia theater during the Persian Gulf War. The issues regarding lumbosacral spine, left thumb foreign body, right knee, and left knee disabilities are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD, finding that it is related to in-service exposure to second-hand smoke and smoke from burning oil fields. The decision resolves any doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine without radiculopathy, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted. The claim for a low back disability is being remanded.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (to include a depressive disorder and/or PTSD) and respiratory disorder (to include COPD and/or emphysema) claims are also being remanded.

The Veteran's respiratory disorder, including asbestosis, pleural plaques, and COPD, is considered to have started during his military service. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected COPD is rated as 100 percent disabling, but he does not have another disability that would allow him to receive a TDIU. The Board denied the claim because his COPD alone cannot meet the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disability, attributing it to lack of evidence linking the condition to active duty service or any presumptive exposure. The Veteran's claims regarding herbicide agent exposure and contaminated water at Camp Lejeune were not supported by credible evidence. Asbestos exposure was also found unrelated to current respiratory issues.

The Veteran's medical expenses incurred at Carle Foundation Hospital on April 6, 2018 are approved as VA had authorized the treatment.

The Board has remanded three issues: PTSD rating, COPD service connection, and TDIU. Additional VA treatment records are needed for these cases.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not manifest during service or within one year of separation and is not shown to be causally related to an in-service event.,The Veteran's psoriasis may have worsened since the last examination. A new VA examination is needed to determine its current nature and severity.,Spinal stenosis, COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, and glaucoma are all potentially related to herbicide exposure during service. Further evaluation is required to establish a connection.,COPD and pulmonary fibrosis may be related to the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea. A new VA examination is needed to evaluate these conditions.,Pulmonary fibrosis and COPD are both related to the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea. Further evaluation is required to establish a connection.,Glaucoma is not service-connected as it may be due to refractive error, which cannot be subject to herbicide exposure presumption.,Obstructive sleep apnea is inextricably intertwined with the Veteran's claims for COPD and pulmonary fibrosis. These claims must be remanded first.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral leg condition (diagnosed as akathisia) and denied service connection for hypertension, low back disability, and COPD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was denied. The claims for service connection for a lung disorder (COPD), sleep apnea, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including traumatic brain injury, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, lung disability (COPD), hypertension, erectile dysfunction, back disability, hip disabilities, and foot disabilities. The cause of death is also under review.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD, but the cases of sinus tachycardia, chronic bronchitis, and asthma are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's back, left leg, right upper leg, lung (COPD), allergic rhinitis, and gastrointestinal disorders have been granted service connection. The rating for hemorrhoids remains at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for residuals of a right great toe injury, lung condition (to include COPD), chronic headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) must be remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his failure to attend scheduled VA examinations. The Veteran is required to cooperate with VA by attending the rescheduled examinations or providing proper notice if he cannot.

The Veteran's COPD with occupational asthma and dyspnea on exertion is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that his disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating based on the FEV-1 values and other relevant PFT results.

The Board denied service connection for cardiovascular, pulmonary, and diabetes conditions claimed as the result of herbicide agent exposure due to lack of evidence of such exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for COPD and asbestosis due to service connection, with a focus on obtaining VA examinations and opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure. Additional VA addendum opinions are needed to address causation.