COPD decisions — 2023

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100% effective October 26, 2015. He also received a 100% rating for his service-connected PTSD prior to that date. The Veteran was granted SMC based on the need for aid and attendance throughout the appeal period. Financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment is also granted.

The Board denied service connection for COPD and Muscular Dystrophy, finding that the Veteran's conditions were not related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, COPD, and pes planus due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by his military service.,Service connection was not granted as there is no current disability meeting VA criteria for hearing loss, no medical opinion linking COPD to service, and no evidence connecting pes planus to service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD should be remanded due to insufficient medical evidence and a need for further examination.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder and denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The issue of service connection for COPD was withdrawn during the May 2022 hearing.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection of a pulmonary disability, including asthma and COPD, due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the incorrect use of a modernized review system form. The AOJ must issue an SOC and allow for a timely substantive appeal if one is filed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including COPD and stable granulomatous disease, is granted. The new evidence received since the June 2013 rating decision relates to asbestos exposure during service.

The Board has denied service connection for muscular disabilities of the left and right hands, as well as respiratory disability (COPD, aortic aneurysm, and right hemidiaphragm paralysis), finding no current disability. The case is remanded to obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of the respiratory disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The issues include reopening claims for service connection for various conditions and seeking higher disability ratings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, right ankle, eye, and respiratory conditions due to insufficient medical opinions.,Flu residuals are also being remanded as there is uncertainty about whether they are separate from service-connected TBI residuals.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or permanently housebound, thus SMC based on aid and attendance is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development of evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's respiratory disability. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a respiratory disability, including bronchitis.

The Board has decided that the VA examiner's opinion regarding the Veteran's emphysema is inadequate and requires a new examination to determine if his condition was related to his presumed exposure to herbicide agents while serving in Vietnam.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss but has remanded the issue of service connection for a respiratory disorder due to in-service exposure to toxins, fumes, and other environmental agents.

The Board has remanded the claims for respiratory conditions, right ankle or foot disabilities, and right knee disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions.

Service connection for hypertension and a heart condition (atrial fibrillation and LVH) is granted on a direct basis. Service connection for a respiratory disorder (COPD and pulmonary embolism) is denied.,The Veteran's hypertension was found to be due to his exposure to an herbicide in-service, while the denial of service connection for COPD and pulmonary embolism is based on lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and coronary artery disease, finding that the Veteran's duties placed him on or near the base perimeter at Udorn RTAFB in Thailand. The COPD appeal was dismissed as withdrawn. Service connection is also granted for other conditions related to these two disabilities.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is currently rated as noncompensably disabling.,Service connection for COPD and TDIU are both remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to respond to VA communication and failure to report for a scheduled examination. The claim will be reconsidered with an additional medical opinion.