COPD decisions — 2023

The Board has denied the claim for SMC based on aid and attendance or housebound status due to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. The case is being remanded to obtain a VA opinion addressing whether the Veteran needed regular aid and attendance or was housebound as a result of his PTSD, and if so, whether it was related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence and need further examination. The issues include COPD, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, major depressive disorder, kidney condition, and liver condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error, specifically failing to obtain a VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's lung conditions were linked to his in-service exposure to Agent Orange. The claim is now pending for further review.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to consider the Veteran's reported exposure to fumes in service, which is relevant to his claim for COPD. The RO will gather and develop this information before making a determination.

The Board has dismissed the claims of entitlement to service connection for COPD and emphysema due to a withdrawal by the Veteran's representative.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for COPD, depression, and anxiety have been dismissed due to their death.

The Board has denied an increase in the rating for right ear hearing loss and has remanded the issue of service connection for a respiratory disability due to occupational exposures as a helicopter repairman during service.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus II, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, coronary artery disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board has granted service connection for tuberculosis, COPD secondary to tuberculosis, and MDD. The evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's conditions had their onset in service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis and asthma have been granted. The claims for service connection for bronchitis and COPD have been denied.

The Board denied service connection for COPD and OSA, finding that the Veteran's conditions are more likely due to his smoking history rather than herbicide exposure during service.

The Board found that the Veteran's respiratory conditions, including bronchiectasis, emphysema, and COPD, are not causally related to his active-duty service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for COPD, HTN, right shoulder strain, lower back disorder, and left lower extremity nerve damage due to potential toxic exposure during service. The Veteran is presumed to have participated in a TERA.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is dismissed as moot due to his receipt of a 100% schedular rating for residuals of TB, effective April 26, 2011. The Board has referred the issue of entitlement to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to April 26, 2011, to the Director of Compensation Service.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea on a secondary basis to the Veteran's service-connected respiratory disabilities, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with history of bronchitis.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for pneumonia, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) due to exposure to mustard gas during basic training. The Veteran's medical records indicate current disabilities of essential hypertension, COPD, congestive heart failure, and a history of pneumonia during the appeal period.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD, but remanded the issue of service connection for Barrett's esophagus due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has found new and relevant evidence for the claim of service connection for coronary artery disease, which is now granted. The claim for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease remains denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is not related to his service, including secondary to asbestos-related lung disease. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for COPD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and gum disease due to herbicide exposure, as the VA examiner opinions were inadequate.