COPD Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder, entitlement to cause of death, and DIC due to inaction on VA's part regarding obtaining Reserve records and providing a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Board has granted the Veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating of 70 percent for service-connected PTSD, effective from October 24, 2015. The other issues were withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected asthmatic bronchitis and COPD did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to February 8, 2017. After February 9, 2017, when he was granted a total disability rating with special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate due to his prostate cancer and lung cancer, the matter of TDIU is moot.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's COPD is related to service, specifically in-service exposure to exhaust fumes and chemicals. The VA needs to provide an opinion on this issue.

The Board denied service connection for COPD and remanded the issues of a higher rating for left forearm shell fragment wound residuals and eligibility for financial assistance for specially adapted housing or special home adaptation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and COPD have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD/asthma, OSA, and an acquired psychiatric disability. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and COPD, finding that there is no evidence to support a current diagnosis of either condition or any link between them and his military service.

The Veteran's COPD was denied as not related to service, including exposure to environmental hazards during the Gulf War.,Service connection for memory loss is remanded due to lack of a diagnosed condition and need for further examination.,Service connection for neuropathy in the bilateral upper extremities and lower extremities is remanded due to lack of a diagnosed condition and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for various respiratory disabilities, including COPD and pneumonia. The Veteran's exposure to asbestos, herbicide agents, dust, and lead-based paint is conceded.

The VA has decided to remand the case due to a need for updated VA examination and treatment records, as the Veteran's COPD may have worsened since his last examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II has been denied as new and material evidence was not received.,Service connection for a respiratory condition (COPD) is denied because the condition is attributed to smoking, which is not related to his service-connected PTSD.,Service connection for coronary artery disease and history of heart attack or myocardial infarction secondary to PTSD is remanded as there is no evidence that the Veteran's alcohol abuse was caused by his service-connected PTSD.,Service connection for stroke secondary to PTSD is remanded as there is no evidence that the Veteran's alcohol abuse was caused by his service-connected PTSD.,Service connection for impairment of sphincter control and anal reconstruction is remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the issues of coronary artery disease and history of heart attack or myocardial infarction secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's gout, macular edema with central vein occlusion (claimed as visual loss), emphysema, and COPD are all denied service connection because the competent evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by his military service.,There is no credible medical opinion linking any of the Veteran's claimed disabilities to his active duty service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his COPD and asbestos-related pleural disease. The TDIU claim remains in appellate status as well.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to incomplete records and failure to follow instructions in a previous remand.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's lung disabilities and their relationship to service, particularly in relation to his service-connected pleural thickening and pleural plaque formation.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal, and thus has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this case.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to January 16, 2019 is denied as he was still employed and able to perform his job duties. The issue of TDIU beginning January 16, 2019 is dismissed because the Veteran has a combined rating of 100% due to asthma with COPD and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating in excess of 30 percent for asthma with COPD is denied. The Board finds a remand necessary to address the issues of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and TDIU.