COPD decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for a respiratory disorder, including asbestosis, COPD, restrictive lung disease, pneumoconiosis, and pleural plaques, based on the Veteran's in-service asbestos exposure.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for reopening of her service connection claims for joint pain and depressive disorder, but has remanded the issue of service connection for COPD due to exposure to burn pits during active duty in Southwest Asia.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for COPD due to additional relevant VA treatment records and examination reports being associated with the claims file after the issuance of the October 2018 statement of the case. The AOJ is required to consider this newly received evidence in the first instance.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA opinion regarding the Veteran's lung disease. The case will be reviewed again with a new medical opinion.

The Veteran's respiratory condition, diagnosed as COPD, is granted service connection. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea claim is dismissed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lung disorder, COPD, neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and neuropathy of the feet. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD caused his diabetes, which in turn contributed to his death. The VA must obtain additional medical records and provide a medical opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's type II diabetes.

The Veteran's application to reopen his previously denied service connection for DMII was granted. The Board has determined that the Veteran should be scheduled for VA examinations and remanded for further development of his claims for bilateral hearing loss, low back pain, left ankle condition, tinea pedis, sinusitis, COPD, and DMII.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for COPD due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for heart arrhythmia, COPD, kidney condition, and hysterectomy including residuals due to exposure to chemicals while stationed at Fort McClellan, Alabama. The AOJ is required to secure an adequate research report specifically addressing the Veteran's contentions of her exposure.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for major depressive disorder with unspecified anxiety disorder was denied. The claims for increased ratings for COPD and emphysema were also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and TDIU have been dismissed as the Veteran opted into the Appeals Modernization Act system.

Service connection for lung cancer is granted. The Veteran's lung cancer is related to herbicide exposure in the Republic of Vietnam and manifested to a degree of 10 percent or more.,The Board finds that service connection for urinary frequency and urgency, skin disability of the hands, and respiratory disabilities other than lung cancer are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions and new evidence. The Veteran's lung disability (COPD) is still under consideration, as well as his prostate disability ratings.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development to obtain a medical opinion addressing the nature and etiology of the Veteran's respiratory disability, bilateral upper extremity neuropathies, and skin disability. The claims will be adjudicated again based on the new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is due to his service, specifically his exposure to asbestos while stationed on the USNS Corpus Christi Bay. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to asbestos exposure for throat cancer, COPD, lung cancer, dysphagia, and chronic kidney disease. Additional development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is not related to his service, but a remand is necessary to obtain medical opinions regarding whether it is related to in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has granted service connection for a respiratory disability, including COPD, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his active duty service despite his 30 pack year smoking history.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's COPD and its relationship to service-connected ischemic heart disease.