COPD decisions — 2022

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant requested to withdraw it, citing his authorized representative's notification.

The Veteran's appeals for COPD and Asthma were dismissed due to their death.

The Veteran's skin disorder and COPD claims are remanded for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the onset of these conditions during service or their relation to in-service exposures.

The Board denied service connection for hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy (HPO) and any underlying respiratory disability, finding that the Veteran's HPO is due to his nonservice-connected COPD and emphysema, which are more likely related to a long history of tobacco abuse.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's death was caused by his COPD, which is not service-connected. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not contribute to or aggravate his COPD and therefore did not cause his death.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lung condition and an upper respiratory infection condition, finding that there is no evidence to support these conditions began during or are related to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 0 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The VA examiner opined that the Veteran's skin condition is less likely than not related to his service, including herbicide exposure. The claim for service connection for a skin condition is remanded for an addendum opinion.,The VA examiner opined that the Veteran's COPD is less likely than not related to his service, including herbicide exposure. The claim for service connection for COPD is remanded for an addendum opinion.,The claims for service connection for a dental condition and eye condition are inextricably intertwined with the COPD claim and are also remanded for an addendum opinion.,The Veteran's current conditions of a dental condition and eye condition are secondary to his COPD, which is currently under review.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the Veteran's cause of death and potential service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete development and requests an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the Veteran's heart conditions and their relation to his military service, including presumed exposure to herbicides.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is related to his in-service exposure to asbestos and second-hand smoke, and thus service connection for COPD is granted.

The Veteran's COPD and lumbar spine disability were not incurred in service, as there is no evidence of a current disability during or within one year after service. The Board finds the VA examiners' opinions to be highly probative.,The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity arthritis/tendonitis and headaches are remanded for further examination to determine if they are related to his period of active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected COPD/chronic bronchitis caused or aggravated his subsequently diagnosed central sleep apnea.

The Board has granted service connection for asbestosis, finding it related to asbestos exposure during service. Service connection was denied for COPD.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD, Cardiovascular Disorder (CAD), and Venous Stasis with Recurrent Bilateral Leg Ulcerations as a result of exposure to environmental hazards during the Persian Gulf War. The issues of service connection for Cardiovascular Disorder (CAD) and Venous Stasis with Recurrent Bilateral Leg Ulcerations are remanded.

The appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if any diagnosed respiratory disorder, including residuals of tuberculosis, COPD, and asthma, are etiologically related to service. The Veteran's SSA records must also be obtained.

The Veteran's COPD is granted as service-connected due to aggravation by his service-connected asbestos plaques. The compensable disability rating for his asbestos plaques remains denied.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear sensorineural hearing loss. However, the claims for left ear sensorineural hearing loss and lung condition (COPD) are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The appeals for PTSD, COPD, and a skin disorder have all been dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion to address whether the Veteran's service-connected lupus erythematosus discoid caused or aggravated his fatal diseases, including COPD, CHF due to systolic failure, and chronic atrial fibrillation.