COPD decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of COPD or Bowel Disorder related to service.,The Veteran's claim for earlier effective date for psychiatric disability is remanded as there are no prior claims on record.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of a respiratory disability, including COPD. The case is dismissed as the appeal has been withdrawn.

The Board has remanded the cases of residuals of kidney cancer, residuals of a head laceration, COPD, and OSA for further development due to outstanding service treatment records.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions were denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claims, and the current diagnoses are not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's COPD and CAD have been granted service connection, with COPD being related to in-service exposure to fiberglass dust and CAD being related to the Veteran's history of hypertension and a family history of heart problems.

The Board denied service connection for myelofibrosis, anemia, and COPD, finding that the conditions were not related to active service or secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's COPD is denied as it is not related to service, including asbestos exposure.,The Veteran's hypertension is denied as it is not secondary to PTSD or COPD.,The Veteran's diabetes is denied as it is not due to herbicide exposure and is not secondary to hypertension or COPD.,The Veteran's heart condition is denied as it is not related to service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is denied as it is not related to service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is denied as it is not related to service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's vision problems are denied as they are not related to diabetes or COPD.,The Veteran's stomach condition is denied as it is not related to diabetes or COPD.,The Veteran's nerve problems are denied as they are not related to diabetes or COPD.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities is denied as it is not related to diabetes or COPD.,The Veteran's colonic polyps are denied as they are not related to diabetes or COPD.

Service connection for pulmonary disease, including COPD, emphysema, and pleural plaques, is granted. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, asthma, and sleep apnea, finding no evidence that these conditions were caused or aggravated by his military service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an addendum medical opinion regarding the Veteran's service-connected respiratory disorders due to exposure to environmental toxins. The PACT Act requires this examination and consideration of all potential exposures during service.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand. Service connection for lung cancer, asthma, and COPD are denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an opinion on whether COPD is aggravated by pleural plaques, and to address both direct and secondary service connection.

The Veteran's fatty liver disease, GERD, respiratory disorder (COPD and pulmonary nodules), peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and PTSD are not service-connected.,Service connection for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis is remanded.,The Veteran's TDIU prior to July 11, 2015, is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's pulmonary disease, including asthma and COPD, as well as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), finding that these conditions are related to his time in Afghanistan where he was exposed to burn pits.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incorrect address and for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded all service connection claims due to the submission of additional VA treatment records and examinations. The Veteran's claims for various conditions are being reviewed again.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his service-connected pulmonary fibrosis with COPD from August 9, 2013 to July 8, 2016, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 6604.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for a respiratory disorder, including bronchitis, pneumonia, and COPD, due to potential exposure to herbicide agents. The VA examiner is asked to review additional records and provide an opinion on whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional medical evaluation regarding the Veteran's respiratory disability, specifically his maximum exercise capacity or equivalent METs level during the period from March 1, 2018, to February 12, 2021.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, obstructive sleep apnea, residuals of a pulmonary embolism, and pericarditis due to additional development being needed. The claims are inextricably intertwined with the claim for service connection for COPD.