COPD decisions — 2022

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and TDIU, finding that there was no credible evidence of a chronic condition in service or any link to service. The Board also found that smoking played a significant role in developing COPD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the underlying claims are denied.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of service connection for chronic cough, asthma, headache disability, and bilateral hearing loss. However, these claims remain denied.

The Veteran's COPD is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining an opinion on whether his service-connected PTSD aggravated his cigarette smoking habit.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral flat feet, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and active duty service. The COPD claim was remanded due to insufficient development.,The VA examiner opined that the Veteran's COPD did not undergo any incremental increase in severity due to his service-connected coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a jaw and gum injury, COPD, and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's respiratory disabilities, including asthma and COPD. The examiner is asked to provide an opinion on when these conditions initially manifested and whether they are related to service or a pre-existing condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service-connected PTSD, COPD, and certain medications. The VA needs to obtain an addendum opinion from a qualified clinician to address these questions.

The Veteran's COPD has not met the criteria for a compensable rating prior to January 6, 2022, and a rating in excess of 10 percent from that date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for COPD, coronary artery disease, hypertensive vascular disease, and GERD due to a lack of evidence supporting these conditions during his period of active duty.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to August 30, 2018 and special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance or on housebound status from October 11, 2020 due to insufficient information provided by the Veteran regarding his employment history during the period of appeal. The Board also requested that SSA provide earnings statements throughout the period on appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the Veteran's respiratory disability and its relation to service, including exposure to Agent Orange. The claim will be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection for COPD as the claim was fully granted in a previous rating decision.

The Board has determined that service connection for COPD with bronchiolitis should be remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion regarding its etiology, including whether it is related to military service or secondary to service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for COPD as the evidence did not support a finding of an onset during service or continuity of symptoms, and the VA examiners provided well-reasoned opinions that COPD was not caused by or aggravated by diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of COPD is not related to his military service or asbestos exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's respiratory disorder and its relationship to service, including herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, COPD, and diabetic nephropathy. The remand includes obtaining VA treatment records, scheduling a VA examination for coronary artery disease, diabetic nephropathy, and chronic kidney disease, and requesting a supplemental VA opinion regarding COPD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory condition, also claimed as COPD, finding that his restrictive lung disease is not related to service and is more likely due to obesity. The Board concluded that the service-connected disabilities do not cause or aggravate his obesity.

The Board has decided to remand three issues related to service connection for COPD, back injury, and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The decision is pending further clarification from a medical opinion regarding the nature of any congenital conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals, and the Board dismissed the appeal due to the withdrawal.