COPD Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation since April 22, 2021.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for emphysema, COPD, and skin cancer of the face due to incomplete or inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to their death.

The appeal for service connection of COPD, emphysema, and asbestosis is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for service connection of COPD due to insufficient evidence at the time of the August 2021 rating decision. The Veteran's exposure in service is a basis for his claim, but there are no current medical records or opinions available.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability for VA rating purposes.,The Veteran's respiratory disability (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Bronchitis) claim is denied as the causal relationship to service is not established.,The Veteran's seborrheic dermatitis claim is denied as the condition existed prior to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is etiologically related to his service exposure to herbicides, specifically Agent Orange. As such, the claim for service connection for COPD is granted.

The Veteran's heart disability, respiratory disability, diabetes mellitus, and various peripheral neuropathies and radiculopathies are not service-connected. The cervical spine disability is also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected COPD, asthma and emphysema are granted with a 30 percent rating prior to September 6, 2017. The issue of TDIU is remanded for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bronchitis with COPD is remanded due to the lack of substantial compliance with prior Board remand directives. The referral for TDIU consideration is also remanded.

The Veteran's cause of death, acute chronic hypoxic hypercapnic respiratory failure with pneumonia and COPD, is found to be service-connected due to his pre-existing COPD diagnosed during active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for COPD and left peroneal neuropathy due to Agent Orange exposure, as there is insufficient evidence on record regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for squamous cell lung cancer and lymph node squamous cell carcinoma have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD has been remanded, as the issue is related to his service-connected lung cancer.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and potential exposure verification issues.

The claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and COPD are being remanded due to the receipt of new and relevant evidence. The Veteran was exposed to burn pits during his service in Korea.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including anxiety disorder, lumbosacral strain, cervical spine, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance. The Board has granted SMC based on this need.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for emphysema and COPD, finding that there is no evidence in his service treatment records showing treatment or complaints for COPD or respiratory symptoms. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's current emphysema was less likely than not caused by his military service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for emphysema with COPD is granted as new and relevant evidence has been received, including a VA examination report that found no asbestos exposure but linked the condition to his smoking history. The case is remanded for a new VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the conditions.

The Board has dismissed the service connection claims for left shoulder condition, left wrist condition, and COPD. The Veteran's claim for vertigo is granted, as is his claim for asthma.

The Board has found that the Veteran's service connection claim for allergic asthma with COPD should be remanded due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the cause of his conditions. The AOJ is instructed to obtain a new medical opinion considering all applicable military deployments and toxic exposures, including Agent Orange exposure.