COPD decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete records and requests for additional information. The Veteran's claims for service connection are inextricably intertwined with his claim for diabetes mellitus type II, which is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for COPD, hypertension, GERD, CAD, a psychiatric disability, a sinus disability, and a right wrist disability. The remand also includes an inquiry into potential herbicide agent exposure in Korea.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for an addendum VA opinion regarding the Veteran's lung disorder, specifically considering exposure to contaminated waters from Camp Lejeune. The Veteran is requested to provide any relevant private or VA treatment records and further attempts will be made to obtain these records if necessary.

The appeals for service connection and increased ratings for heart condition, COPD, and diabetes mellitus have been dismissed. The appeal seeking an earlier effective date for the PTSD rating has also been denied.

The Veteran's COPD is granted as service-connected due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange. The hearing loss claim is remanded for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee condition status post left knee joint replacement and Parkinson's disease. Service connection for a lung condition is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD, hypertension, and sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder. The evidence is in equipoise on whether these conditions were caused by or aggravated by the service-connected psychiatric disorders.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's COPD is related to his service, specifically his exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam and contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The Veteran also claims exposure to asbestos aboard ships.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for lung condition as secondary to his service-connected heart condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right knee tendonitis, depressive disorder, and COPD for additional development.

The Board denied service connection for Interstitial Lung Disease and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, finding that the conditions did not manifest due to in-service exposure or were not caused by diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is not related to his service, including as secondary to his service-connected pleural plaques due to asbestos exposure. The claim for service connection for COPD is denied.

The Board has determined that there is not substantial compliance with the November 2016 Board remand regarding service connection for COPD. Therefore, another remand is required to obtain VA treatment records and Social Security Administration records, provide a respiratory condition examination, and schedule a hearing loss examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, including COPD, asthma, and pneumothorax due to exposure during his Gulf War service. The case is being sent back for further examination and consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Veteran's COPD disability is rated at a 100 percent since February 24, 2021.

The Veteran's death was not due to his own willful misconduct, but the cause of death (respiratory failure due to severe COPD) is not service-connected. The Board has remanded for further analysis regarding whether COPD and IHD contributed to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to obtain private treatment records from the Moffitt Cancer Center, Dr. J. P., Florida Cancer Specialist, Regional Medical center, and Trinity Hospital.

The Veteran's tinea versicolor is granted as service connection due to a finding of reasonable doubt in his favor.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) is remanded due to the need to verify stressors and obtain a VA examination.,Service connection for COPD is remanded due to the need to verify exposure to asbestos and obtain a VA examination.,Service connection for polycythemia vera is remanded due to the need to verify exposure to ionizing radiation and obtain a dose estimate.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus is remanded due to the need to verify exposure to ionizing radiation and obtain a dose estimate.,Service connection for right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy secondary to diabetes mellitus is remanded due to the need to determine if in-service hypoglycemia was an early manifestation or sign of pre-diabetes or diabetes mellitus.,Service connection for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy secondary to diabetes mellitus is remanded due to the need to determine if in-service hypoglycemia was an early manifestation or sign of pre-diabetes or diabetes mellitus.,Service connection for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy secondary to diabetes mellitus is remanded due to the need to determine if in-service hypoglycemia was an early manifestation or sign of pre-diabetes or diabetes mellitus.,Service connection for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy secondary to diabetes mellitus is remanded due to the need to determine if in-service hypoglycemia was an early manifestation or sign of pre-diabetes or diabetes mellitus.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims of service connection for COPD and psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The claim for COPD was dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran before a decision could be made. The claim for psychiatric disability, including PTSD, was denied as there is no evidence linking any current psychiatric condition to service.

The appeal for service connection for right hand arthritis is dismissed. The claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is denied. The claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder, to include COPD; asbestosis and compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss are remanded.