COPD decisions — 2022

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to assess the Veteran's exposure to herbicides and its potential impact on his claimed conditions. The claims are being remanded for further investigation.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with the previous remand instructions and additional remand is required for further development of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated treatment records and VA examinations to address his respiratory/pulmonary disorder and eye disability.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for GERD and COPD as they are related to military environmental exposures at Camp Lejeune. Additional VA examinations will be conducted to determine if these conditions are service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA medical records and a need for a new VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's respiratory disabilities, including bronchitis.

The Board has remanded the case due to a pending Nehmer review of the Veteran's file, which is necessary for determining service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD can be adjudicated. The case was remanded to obtain a medical opinion regarding whether COPD is related to in-service exposures and/or asthma.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD, which was related to his military service and contributed substantially or materially to his death, qualifies for service connection. The decision is based on a VA physician's assistant's opinion indicating that the Veteran's exposure to exhaust fumes in service may have contributed to his COPD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to exposure to herbicide agents (PACT Act, Agent Orange/Camp Lejeune) for additional development.

The Veteran's lung disorder, bronchitis, and sleep apnea are all granted as service-connected.,Service connection is also granted for the Veteran's gastric ulcer (gastric disorder) and liver disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for hepatitis C and COPD to include as secondary to service-connected CAD, finding that new VA opinions are needed due to insufficient previous opinions.

Service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus is granted.,Service connection for hypertension is granted based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service in the Republic of Vietnam.,Service connection for a recurrent thoracolumbar spine disability is remanded due to lack of evidence regarding its onset or relationship to service.,Service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma is remanded due to lack of evidence regarding their onset or relationship to service.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction is remanded due to lack of evidence regarding its onset or relationship to service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and hypertension, caused by exposure to herbicides during his Vietnam service, substantially contributed to his death from COPD. The Board granted service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted as service connected. TDIU is granted effective April 1, 2011. The issues of service connection for vision, vertigo, colon, and respiratory disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to April 9, 2014. From April 9, 2014, the Veteran is in receipt of a combined disability rating of 100 percent, which moots any TDIU claim.

The Board has found the VA medical opinion inadequate and requires a new examination to determine if the Veteran's COPD is related to service, including asbestos exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his in-service exposure to asbestos, fumes and contact with jet fuel (JP-4), and PCBs. The issues of respiratory disability, asthma, larynx disability, thyroid nodules, hepatic and splenic calcifications, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are all remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disability and an acquired psychiatric disability due to inadequate medical opinions based on inaccurate factual premises. The Veteran is required to undergo further VA examinations to address these issues.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudicative action, including consideration of a TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including obesity, right ankle and knee disabilities, COPD, sleep apnea, hypertensive heart disease, and cerebral vascular accidents. The claims are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports and need further development.