COPD Board decisions

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals. The Board did not find any errors in the decisions.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, hypertension, and asthma/COPD as the evidence did not show chronic symptoms in service or continuity of symptomatology since separation. The Veteran's current conditions are considered to be unrelated to his military service.

The Veteran's right eye detached retina is granted a 20% rating, effective August 21, 2015. The claim for service connection of the left hip disability and COPD has been reopened.

Service connection for hypertension is granted. Service connection for left ear hearing loss, left hip, and left ankle disabilities are denied.,The Veteran's service-connected unspecified trauma and stressor-related disorder rating is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for OSA and COPD, finding that the Veteran's conditions did not manifest during or as a result of his military service.,Specifically, the Board determined that there was no evidence linking the current sleep apnea and COPD to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including COPD, and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran was not shown to have current diagnoses of these conditions during or in proximity to the appeal period.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus and sinusitis is remanded as no SOC has been issued addressing these issues.

The claim for service connection for the Veteran's cause of death, including as due to exposure to herbicide agents, has been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence linking the Veteran’s cause of death (aortic valve stenosis and COPD) to his military service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's service-connected asthma and COPD, along with his skin condition affecting his feet, prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for COPD, chronic pleural effusion and fibrosis, residuals of malaria, a back disability, and hypertension due to presumed herbicide exposure during service. The Veteran is not precluded from establishing service connection with proof of direct causation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder, entitlement to a higher initial rating for PTSD, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The appeals are remanded because additional development is necessary before decisions can be made on these issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cardiac disorder, finding that there was no evidence of chronic disease or injury during service and insufficient medical opinion to establish a nexus between current symptoms and service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for COPD, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the hands and feet, and ischemic heart disease were denied as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and requests for additional information from the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple issues are being remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and opinions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's OSA is caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD and/or CAD.

The Veteran's appeal for earlier effective dates and higher ratings has been dismissed as the Veteran's representative withdrew his appeals in February 2020.

The Board denied service connection for a pulmonary condition, including chronic bronchitis and COPD, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service or any other exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased COPD evaluation and TDIU due to service-connected disability, as there are outstanding VA treatment records that need to be obtained and a VA examination is needed.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and emphysema/COPD have not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent, as they do not show chronic respiratory failure with carbon dioxide retention or cor pulmonale, nor require tracheostomy. The current symptoms are adequately reflected by the existing 50% rating.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer and ischemic heart disease, finding that the Veteran's occupational duties required him to be present at or near the base perimeter, presumptively exposing him to herbicide agents. Service connection was denied for COPD due to lack of evidence linking it to service.