COPD Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's COPD is related to service, including exposure to herbicide agents like Agent Orange.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a respiratory disorder, including bronchitis, COPD, and emphysema, as well as her claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for chronic headaches. The decision found that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence of pre-existing conditions, and the current diagnoses were not related to service or exposure to environmental hazards.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the Veteran's COPD and its relation to service. An addendum opinion from a Pulmonary specialist is needed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that there was no causal relationship between her current condition and her military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory/pulmonary disorder, including restrictive lung disease, emphysema, pulmonary fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asbestosis and lung cancer. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service exposure to asbestos.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and total disability due to individual unemployability have been dismissed because the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Veteran's asthma and COPD with episodic pneumonia rating has been reduced from 100% to 30%. The appeal of the reduction is remanded due to outstanding medical records. Additionally, the termination of SMC benefits is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the asthma claim.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is related to in-service exposure to herbicide agents.,Left foot frostbite residuals are at least as likely as not related to service.,Right foot frostbite residuals are at least as likely as not related to service.,Right hand frostbite residuals are at least as likely as not related to service.,Left hand frostbite residuals are at least as likely as not related to service.,The Veteran's hypertension is presumed to be due to herbicide agent exposure during service.,COPD, emphysema, and asthma are presumed to be due to herbicide agent exposure during service.,Diverticulitis with colon polyps are at least as likely as not related to service.

The Board has denied service connection for chest arthritis and remanded the issue of expanding the asthma claim to include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and reactive airway disease.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and evaluations to address his service-connected disabilities, including headaches, COPD, diarrhea, hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss.,The Veteran also has several issues related to service connection that are being addressed in the remand process.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of bilateral hearing loss has been granted, effective August 14, 2018.,Service connection for ischemic heart disease is granted based on new evidence.

The Veteran's lung/respiratory disorders, including asthma, COPD, and interstitial lung disease, are granted as service-connected due to exposure to burn pits during the Persian Gulf War.

The Board dismissed the appeals on the issues of service connection for lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for COPD is denied, but his claim for service connection for atrial fibrillation as secondary to his service-connected COPD is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration. The Veteran's back disability is related to service, but his respiratory disabilities are not.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for COPD has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in August 2020.

The Board has granted service connection for fatty liver disease secondary to diabetes. The claims for COPD and a skin condition are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a respiratory disorder (including asthma and COPD) and a heart disorder (including congestive heart failure and ischemic heart disease).

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, COPD and bronchitis as there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation of a disease or injury.,There is no current diagnosis for either COPD or bronchitis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and need for further development.