COPD decisions — 2024

The Board remands the claim for service connection for a lung disability, including chronic bronchitis, asthma and bronchiectasis due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board dismissed the duplicative appeals for evaluation and service connection of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with mycotic lung disease, to include emphysema; obstructive sleep apnea; posttraumatic stress disorder; chronic kidney disease; and tinnitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) as it is not shown to be causally related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of a VA examination and etiology opinion, as required by McLendon v. Nicholson (2006). The Veteran's COPD is currently found, but there is insufficient competent medical evidence to make a decision on his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations to address whether his OSA was caused or aggravated by his service-connected COPD, rhinitis, and insomnia.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected.,COPD is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's death was caused by lung cancer and COPD. The DIC claim is dismissed as moot because the service connection for the cause of death has been granted, encompassing the entire period on appeal.

Service connection is granted for coronary artery disease, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, hypertension, and rheumatoid arthritis as due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents.,Service connection is denied for hypercholesterolemia. Service connection is granted for bronchiectasis, restrictive lung disease (sarcoidosis), residuals of a cerebrovascular accident, sleep apnea, and COPD as due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents or as secondary to coronary artery disease.,Service connection is remanded for rheumatoid arthritis, bronchiectasis, restrictive lung disease (sarcoidosis), residuals of a cerebrovascular accident, sleep apnea, and COPD.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, as well as secondary conditions. The PACT Act requires a VA examination in these cases.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for COPD before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral plantar fasciitis due to a lack of evidence showing current disabilities or a relationship to service.,Service connection was also denied for COPD and emphysema as there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and incomplete records. The Veteran is entitled to additional etiology opinions on his acquired psychiatric, respiratory, cardiac, vestibular, hearing loss/tinnitus, and orthopedic disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are found to warrant the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, but a VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions alone cause such need.

The Board has found pre-decisional duty to assist errors and remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for cause of death, DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318, and DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to insufficient information in the record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for dysphagia and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, both claimed as secondary to his service-connected COPD.,The Board found that there was no causal relationship between the Veteran's conditions and his service-connected COPD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is granted. The claims for service connection for multiple myeloma, deep vein thrombosis, and anemia are remanded.

The Board found that the reduction from a 60% to a 30% disability rating for the respiratory disability was proper due to clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the January 2018 rating decision. The claim for restoration of the 60% rating is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy were dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.,The Veteran was granted service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder (achalasia with esophageal stricture status-post dilation with GERD) due to herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, headaches, and anemia is denied. The claims are being remanded to allow for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of confirmation of exposure to herbicide agents on the U.S.S. Kitty Hawk, and requests that ship logbooks be obtained.