COPD decisions — 2022

The claim to reopen the matter of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral feet has been denied. The claims for substitution purposes regarding kidney condition, diabetes mellitus, and respiratory condition (COPD) have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for COPD, Parkinson's disease, and restless leg syndrome of both lower extremities due to new evidence submitted since previous decisions. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbosacral spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, and COPD have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a breathing disability, deviated nasal septum, back disability, and left hip disability are remanded due to insufficient development of the evidence.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a low back disability and remanded both issues. The COPD issue is also remanded due to inadequate medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for COPD, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, hepatitis C, and MRSA infection have been withdrawn. The appeal for service connection for PTSD has been reopened due to new evidence received more than one year after the April 2010 decision. Service connection is remanded for vertigo (balance problems), Meniere's syndrome, tremors, sleep apnea, and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's COPD is related to service, specifically his exposure to herbicide agents. A new VA medical opinion is required.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the claim for left cardiovascular area muscle strain, but not for low back disability or other conditions.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II (DMII), and remanded the issue of service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD). The Veteran's DMII claim was denied as there is no current diagnosis of DMII. COPD was not found to be due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and improper consideration of multiple respiratory conditions. The Veteran's son testified that his breathing problems started after a heart surgery, but the VA examiner did not provide sufficient rationale for their opinion regarding secondary service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for a respiratory disorder, right knee disorder, and bilateral hearing loss. The diagnoses are COPD with emphysema and chronic bronchitis, right knee osteoarthritis, and bilateral hearing loss respectively.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in a need for SMC benefits at the housebound rate, but his need for A&A assistance is unclear and requires further evaluation.

The claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death has been reopened, but the Board finds that there is insufficient evidence to establish a direct or presumptive link between the Veteran's myelodysplasia and his military service. The issue of service connection for myelodysplasia remains remanded as well.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting evidence of record regarding the diagnosis and level of disability for the Veteran's service-connected respiratory disorder. Additional clarification is needed from the VA examiner who conducted the March 2022 VA examination.

The Veteran's current respiratory disorders, including emphysema, pulmonary thromboembolism, chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, and COPD, are at least as likely as not related to the diagnosed thrombophlebitis and peripheral vascular disease (PVD) during service. As a result, the Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is currently in remission and does not result in voiding dysfunction or urinary issues. The service connection claims for a respiratory condition (claimed as bronchitis, COPD, emphysema) and kidney cancer are denied due to lack of evidence supporting the onset during service or related to exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's appeal for a heart disability was withdrawn and dismissed.,New evidence has been submitted to reopen claims of service connection for COPD, lung cancer, back disability, bilateral hearing loss, arthritis (psoriatic arthritis), left knee disability, and right knee disability. These claims are remanded for further development.,The Veteran's appeal for a heart disability was dismissed due to withdrawal by the appellant.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a heart disorder, right and left knee disorders, OSA, COPD, and right and left foot disorders due to new evidence submitted since the July 2015 rating decision.,Your current heart disorder may be related to your military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for additional medical opinion regarding the Veteran's COPD and its relation to asbestos exposure during service.