COPD decisions — 2022

The Board has denied service connection for a lower back disability, but has remanded the issues of service connection for hypertension and COPD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for COPD and hypertension due to Agent Orange exposure, as there is insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a skin condition to include skin cancer, but the respiratory condition claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that remand is necessary to ensure that VA fulfills its duty to assist the Veteran in substantiating his appeal for service connection of a respiratory disability, including due to asbestos exposure during active duty.

The appeal is dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and no service connection decision can be made.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for COPD, asbestos exposure, and emphysema as a result of asbestos exposure. The right shoulder adhesive capsulitis with arthritis was granted service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for asbestosis, but denied service connection for COPD. The decision is based on the evidence showing in-service asbestos exposure and current asbestosis, while finding no direct link between COPD and military service.

The Board has denied service connection for COPD, heart disability, and kidney cancer. The issues of service connection for a heart disability due to hypertension and for kidney cancer are remanded.

The Board has determined that the claims for increased ratings and service connection are inextricably intertwined with the appellant's request to substitute as a claimant. The AOJ must address these issues, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and addressing the February 2014 VA examiner's qualifications.

The Veteran's death was caused by heart failure and COPD, which the private physician opined were due to untreated hypertension in service. The Board found that this evidence supported granting service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lung disorder, including COPD and other respiratory conditions like asthma, bronchitis, allergic rhinitis, and hay fever. The decision found that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence showing pre-existing conditions existed prior to service or were aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and examination to determine if service connection should be granted for COPD and Ischemic Heart Disease.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of fracture of left leg, claimed as left leg fracture is denied due to lack of current residuals.,The Veteran's COPD is not etiologically related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for COPD, Sinusitis, and Chronic Bronchitis due to inadequate medical opinion in the May 2020 VA examination. The case is being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's lung conditions, specifically COPD and bacterial lung infection (claimed as degenerative lung disease).

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for COPD and sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence regarding their relationship to service, including exposure to jet exhaust. A VA examination is needed for both conditions.

The Board has decided that the claim for service connection for COPD and emphysema as direct and secondary to service-connected disabilities needs further development due to inadequate examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea, respiratory disorder, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to service connection issues. Additional medical opinions are needed to address the onset and relationship of these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, entitlement to a higher rate of survivors' pension prior to June 1, 2017, and entitlement to accrued benefits due to incomplete VA treatment records. The appellant is seeking service connection for the cause of her husband's death, which may be related to his service-connected condition or an unrelated condition like multiple myeloma.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease and emphysema/COPD are being remanded for additional development to determine their etiology, including whether they were caused by herbicide agent exposure or if the Parkinson's disease affected vital organs.