COPD decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including asthma and COPD, left knee osteoarthritis, right knee osteoarthritis, and right knee instability, prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to November 3, 2016. The Board granted the TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that COPD and respiratory failure were not caused by or related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for COPD and OSA due to inadequate medical opinions in the November 2021 addendum. The VA is required to obtain a new opinion from an examiner other than those mentioned.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee disabilities, asthma, COPD, heart disability, hypertension, and carpal tunnel syndrome of the hands due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.,Service connection was also not granted for increased rating for vertigo and total disability individual unemployability (TDIU) issues.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain a VA opinion regarding the Veteran's COPD and psychiatric disorder claims, including whether service connection should be granted.

The Veteran's previously service-connected psychiatric disorder caused him to use tobacco, which was a substantial factor in developing COPD. The Board granted service connection for COPD based on the aggravation theory.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death, finding that there was no evidence linking the Veteran's death to his active duty service or any presumptive conditions related to herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the VA examiner's opinions are conflicting and further clarification is needed regarding whether COPD was caused by service, specifically during active duty.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's COPD and its relation to service, specifically exposure to herbicides and asbestos. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lung disability, including COPD, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his in-service exposure and his current condition.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for a stomach disability, pancreas disability, lung disability (COPD), and anemia due to inadequate VA opinions and other procedural issues.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disorder, COPD, and neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.,The Board also remanded several other issues including increased ratings for ankle disabilities and entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and development of evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for bronchitis and COPD due to inadequate medical opinions regarding exposure to burn pits and fuel fumes, as well as secondary service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is at least as likely as not caused by her in-service pneumonia, and thus grants service connection for COPD on a direct basis.

The Board denied the claim to reopen service connection for the Veteran's cause of death due to lack of new and material evidence, and no relevant official service department records have been obtained.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.,Service connection for COPD is granted based on evidence of a current disability, in-service disease or injury, and nexus.,Service connection for nephrolithiasis is denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.,The Veteran's prostate disability claim is remanded as there was no finding of a current disability at the time of examination.

The Veteran's dermatitis is granted as service-connected, with the condition being presumed due to in-service exposure.,The Veteran's COPD is granted as secondary to his service-connected occupational asthma.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a pulmonary disorder, including COPD and diabetes mellitus, was denied. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for traumatic brain injury, hypertension, respiratory disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease, cold weather injury residuals, and right knee disability are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,A rating in excess of 10 percent is also being remanded for left knee disability.