COPD Board decisions

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for alcohol dependence, anxiety, COPD, insomnia, depression, and asthmatic bronchitis due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there is no evidence linking any of the diseases leading to his death to his military service or exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD due to a lack of consideration of his presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his active duty service in Vietnam. The Veteran is encouraged to submit additional evidence outside the evidentiary window.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of VA examination and opinion regarding service connection for COPD, which is presumed related to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran's mood disorder is granted as it was caused by the medications taken for his service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).,Service connection for left and right knee disabilities is denied due to lack of evidence showing a chronic disability in service or within one year after separation.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted effective April 8, 2022, the date of his service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of COPD is less likely than not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected esophageal stricture with peptic ulcer disease.

The Board has remanded the DIC claim for further development, including obtaining a VA examination and making findings regarding whether the Appellant is considered the Veteran's surviving spouse. The examiner will assess the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected conditions and his death.

The Board has denied the claim for service connection for COPD, finding that there is no new and relevant evidence to support the claim since the previous denial in January 2015.

The Board has granted service connection for respiratory disability, including chronic cough, COPD, and asthma, effective August 5, 2012. The appeal is dismissed as the benefit sought on appeal has already been granted.

The Veteran's claim for a bilateral hearing loss disability is denied as he does not have a current disability for VA purposes.,The Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy (upper and lower extremities), erectile dysfunction, vestibular disability, skin condition, heart condition, and respiratory condition are remanded due to the need for further development of evidence.,The Veteran's claim for a bilateral kidney condition is remanded as it may be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error in failing to obtain a VA Aid and Attendance medical examination for the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, higher ratings for heart disease and PTSD, and TDIU was denied. The Board found no evidence of current COPD or a relationship to service. For the heart condition, the rating criteria were not met as there was no evidence of congestive heart failure or left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction less than 30 percent.

The Board has identified errors in the pre-decisional duty to assist and has ordered additional records related to COPD and emphysema be obtained from Canyon Vista Medical Center and Dr. G.

The Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected diabetes, which contributed to the development of restrictive lung disease. The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and oxygen dependent was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded due to errors in the duty to assist and incomplete evidence. The RO must obtain an Individual Longitudinal Exposure Record, full results of a June 2007 chest x-ray, a VA respiratory examination, and an addendum medical opinion regarding his toxic exposure risk activities.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for cause of death, finding that there was no persuasive evidence linking the Veteran's death to his military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the issues of service connection and increased ratings for various conditions, including sleep apnea, hemorrhoids, bilateral hearing loss, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lumbar strain, and PTSD. As a result, the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's COPD is rated at 60 percent since May 7, 2017. The Board found the evidence supported a 60 percent rating based on near constant cough and antibiotic usage.