COPD decisions — 2023

The Veteran's COPD is granted as service connected due to exposure to airborne contaminants, including herbicide agents, during his service in Vietnam.

The Board dismissed the appeals for increased disability ratings in excess of 10 percent for gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD) with hernia hiatal, congestive and valvular heart failure with cardiomyopathy and premature ventricular contractions, and dyspnea (claimed as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). The appellant withdrew the appeals prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error regarding the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD. The AOJ needs to obtain an addendum opinion from a qualified clinician that addresses whether the Veteran's respiratory condition, including COPD, is related to exposure to chemicals aboard ship during his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a respiratory disability and a heart disability, both secondary to the Veteran's service-connected conditions (CVID and diabetes mellitus, type II), respectively.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical opinions and additional development is required. The Veteran's death certificate noted liver cancer as the cause of death, but service connection for liver cancer was not established in a previous decision.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence on whether the Veteran's respiratory impairment is related to service, specifically exposure to chemicals. The Veteran needs a VA examination to provide this information.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for emphysema, COPD, ischemic heart disease with congestive heart failure, and meningioma due to insufficient medical opinions regarding exposure to hazardous chemicals and materials during service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for COPD and sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between these conditions and toxic exposure, specifically Agent Orange. The Veteran is also requested to undergo VA examinations to determine the etiology of his COPD and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's respiratory disorder, including COPD and asbestosis, is granted service connection. Bilateral hearing loss remains under consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to his failure to appear for VA examinations. The issues of entitlement to initial compensable ratings for seborrheic dermatitis, service connection for a bilateral eye disorder, hypertension, respiratory disorders (bronchitis and COPD), and bilateral foot disabilities (pes planus) are being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated by his service-connected IHD or due to exposure to herbicides. The COPD is considered a result of his smoking history.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea, allergic rhinitis, and lung scarring may have aggravated his COPD. However, there is conflicting evidence regarding this relationship. The case is being remanded to obtain additional opinions on whether COPD was aggravated by these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for a right ankle disorder and respiratory disorders (asthma, pneumonia, bronchitis, COPD, and emphysema) due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board denied service connection for restrictive lung disease, finding that the evidence does not support a link to service or an in-service injury. The Veteran's current diagnosis of restrictive lung disease is attributed to smoking and PTSD, rather than service exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's cause of death and potential service connection for COPD, bronchiectasis, and bronchial inflammation. The VA is instructed to obtain relevant service treatment records and provide a new medical opinion.

The Veteran's death was caused by chronic hypoxemic respiratory failure, but none of the listed conditions are service-connected.,The Appellant seeks burial benefits for cremation expenses, but no specific argument has been provided.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, COPD, and a disability of the eye. The issues have been remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding potential service connection due to toxic exposure.

The Veteran's cause of death was Alzheimer's disease, which the Board found to be aggravated by his service-connected COPD. The appeal for SMC based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status due to service-connected disability is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral lung disorder and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for an adequate medical opinion regarding his respiratory disability, other than asthma. The issues are inextricably intertwined.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, asthma, chronic bronchitis, and pulmonary emphysema due to exposure to asbestos during his military service. The VA examinations are inadequate, and additional medical records need to be obtained.