COPD decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient information about the Veteran's post-service work history, which could affect the opinions on asbestos exposure and service connection.

The Board denied service connection for COPD and lung cancer, as well as the claim for TDIU prior to November 21, 2015. The decision also remanded several issues including an effective date for diabetes mellitus and a rating for that condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further development. The Veteran's death was caused by acute hypoxemic arrest, with COPD as a contributory cause.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum medical opinion regarding the Veteran's asthma and COPD, as well as his exposure history. The current VA Medical Opinion did not address whether the conditions preexisted service or were aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his respiratory conditions and migraine headaches.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for GERD and a respiratory disorder, to include COPD, need further clarification due to incomplete or insufficient medical opinions provided in previous examinations.

The Veteran's death was caused by CHF, severe pulmonary hypertension, and severe COPD. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected cold injury residuals contributed to his obesity, which in turn led to these conditions. Therefore, DIC benefits are granted based on service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete notification of a previous rating decision, need for additional medical opinions regarding hypertension and bilateral knee disability, and need for SSA records.

The Board has determined that the claims for residuals of a lung tumor, bilateral hearing loss, and COPD need to be remanded due to insufficient opinions from VA examiners regarding their etiology.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and COPD. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and reasoning in previous decisions, requiring a new VA examination to address all respiratory disabilities and their etiologies.

The Board dismissed all claims except for service connection for hypertension, which was granted. The Veteran's PTSD prior to December 14, 2015, did not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating.

The Veteran's service connection claim for COPD is granted under the PACT Act due to exposure to burn pits and other toxins in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran's claim to reopen the service connection for COPD was granted. Service connection is denied.,PTSD service connection was granted, and the Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of heart disorder, bilateral knee disorders, and bilateral hip disorders. The claim for respiratory disorders was not addressed as it is considered a separate issue.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, Parkinson's disease, lung condition (claimed as lung scarring due to cancer and emphysema), schizophrenia, right foot condition, and left foot condition. The Veteran was not provided with a VA medical opinion regarding his fingers.,Service connection was denied because the evidence did not establish that any of these conditions were related to service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for COPD, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and hypertension. The appeal for service connection for hypertension is remanded due to its potential association with herbicide exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's shortness of breath and his military service. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to clarify this issue.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, finding that the Veteran's COPD did not have its onset during service or for many years thereafter and is not related to any incident of service, including asbestos exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's COPD and respiratory disabilities, requiring a new VA examination.