COPD Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for an independent medical expert opinion. The Veteran's service connection claim for upper respiratory disability, including COPD and bronchiectasis, is also being reviewed.

The Veteran's chronic bronchitis with history of pneumonia and COPD was rated as noncompensable prior to March 13, 2018. The Board found that the disability did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating based on FEV-1/FVC post-bronchodilator results.,The Veteran's tinea pedis was rated as zero percent (noncompensable) prior to March 13, 2018. The Board found that the disability did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating based on affected body areas or systemic therapy.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disorder, including atrial fibrillation, and a lung disorder due to lack of evidence showing the conditions began during active service or were related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,While the Veteran had diagnoses of heart disorders and lung disorders prior to his death, the preponderance of the evidence did not support finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected right inguinal hernia scar was denied as the evidence did not support a higher disability rating under the applicable schedular criteria.,Service connection for COPD was also denied because there was no medical evidence linking the condition to asbestos or lead paint exposure during service.

The Board has denied service connection for all claimed disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, right eye retina disability, GERD, constipation, COPD, sleep apnea, heart disability, hypertension, benign prostatic hypertrophy, and erectile dysfunction, as they are not shown to be related to military service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, including asbestosis, COPD, emphysema, and ILD, due to asbestos and chemical exposures. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service.

Service connection for COPD, hypertension, and a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II, is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.,An effective date earlier than September 1, 2009, for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, to include on the basis of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) is also dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and his death, as well as the relationship between COPD and pneumonia and his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is not service-connected, as there is no evidence to support a link between his in-service exposure and current condition. The most probative medical opinions indicate that COPD was more likely due to smoking rather than environmental exposures.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that it was not incurred during active service and is due to post-service smoking.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for primary renal disease and COPD, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The appeals are being remanded due to insufficient development of the record.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development regarding effective dates and whether new evidence supports reopening a claim of service connection for respiratory disabilities. The Veteran's claims are currently under review.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of a nexus between the claimed conditions and his active service, with the exception of bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome which is not related to service. The Veteran's COPD is attributed to smoking tobacco.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death due to lack of evidence linking the Veteran's fatal conditions (heart failure, chronic hypertension, drug addiction, hepatitis C, and COPD) to his military service.,For nonservice-connected death pension benefits from January 1, 2010 to February 1, 2012, the Board denied the claim due to the Appellant's income exceeding the maximum annual pension rate (MAPR).,The Board also denied nonservice-connected death pension benefits for the period from January 1, 2008 to February 1, 2009 because of discrepancies in the calculation of the Veteran's last expenses and the Appellant's income.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the cervical spine, lumbar spine, hands, and feet. The radiculopathy of both lower extremities is also service connected as secondary to the service-connected osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine. Service connection was denied for rheumatoid arthritis and a respiratory disorder (COPD and asthma).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, COPD, and bronchitis due to a lack of STRs. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with other issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, glaucoma, and lung disorder due to incomplete opinions and need for additional development.

The Board denied a compensable rating for asbestosis, finding that the Veteran's respiratory impairment is caused by his service-connected COPD and emphysema due to smoking.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the issues of service connection remain unresolved and are being remanded.

The Veteran's cause of death was not incurred in service or within one year after service, and is not otherwise etiologically linked to any incident of active service. The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.