COPD decisions — 2022

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of COPD, finding that there is no persuasive evidence linking his current COPD to in-service Valley Fever or any other in-service event.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, including COPD and bronchiectasis, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for COPD and Hepatitis C, finding no evidence of a nexus to service or any other recognized exposure basis.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding the left knee scars and has remanded several other issues for further review.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of an adequate VA examination prior to the November 2021 rating decision. The Veteran's COPD is related to in-service asbestos exposure, but further medical evidence is needed to determine this relationship.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for COPD and asbestosis due to an inadequate opinion regarding the relationship between current respiratory conditions and service. Additional evidence will be considered by the RO.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's COPD and its relationship to service, including environmental exposures and presumed herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for further clarification regarding the effective dates of service connection for COPD and tinnitus, as well as for an increased rating for COPD. The TDIU issue is also being remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Board has determined that new evidence submitted by the Veteran since the last denial of service connection for intestinal disability, prostate cancer, kidney disease, COPD, heart disease, diabetes mellitus, anxiety disorder, headache disability, and left shoulder disability warrants a remand to obtain additional medical opinions regarding these issues.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for intestinal disability, prostate cancer, kidney disease, COPD, heart disease, diabetes mellitus, anxiety disorder, headache disability, and left shoulder disability are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence that is relevant to the issues on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's COPD is related to asbestos exposure in service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and narcolepsy due to a lack of a VA examination, potential exposure to asbestos during service, and possible pre-existing conditions. The Veteran will need to undergo further examinations and formal findings regarding his exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD and remanded the issue of service connection for a back disability.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current COPD had its onset during or is otherwise related to his period of active service.

The Veteran's hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and his CAD rating from February 28, 2018 has been increased to 30 percent.,Service connection for COPD remains pending due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive disorder and COPD have been granted. A 10% rating has also been granted for COPD. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether IHD and/or diabetes mellitus, type II, contributed to the cause of death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lung cancer is no longer in remission and therefore, the reduction from a 100% disability rating to a 30% disability rating was appropriate.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for esophageal cancer, Barrett's esophagus, and COPD are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of these conditions. The VA is directed to verify the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during service and obtain a new examination to determine if his current conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, including as due to asbestos exposure, is being remanded due to a duty to assist error. The Board needs to determine if the Veteran was exposed to asbestos during his service at Fort Knox and on the USS Gordon.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease, COPD and hypertension as these conditions were not shown to be related to service. The cause of death was attributed to other significant conditions.