COPD Board decisions

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic lung condition, but has remanded it due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between his current conditions and in-service pneumonia.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and remanded the issues of service connection for breathing problems (COPD, emphysema, asthma, atelectasis, lung nodule, deviated septum, nasal polyps, sinusitis) and increased disability rating for recurrent pneumothorax.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, but his hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol) and other conditions are denied. The Board has remanded for further review of the remaining issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has COPD and whether it is related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for COPD and pleural plaques due to a failure to obtain relevant VA records, address the Veteran's contention regarding smoking history, and provide adequate reasons and bases for its decision. The claims will be returned to the Board for further action.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for payment of nonservice-connected pension benefits and special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance or at the housebound rate due to insufficient evidence showing he is disabled enough to require regular assistance from another person.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran did not have a current disability related to his military service. The Board also found no evidence of herbicide exposure during service.,Service connection was also denied for COPD, as there is no credible evidence of herbicide exposure.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of COPD and prostate cancer as he withdrew his appeals in February 2020.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to failure to report for scheduled VA examinations. The issues of service connection for various disabilities are now pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder was granted. The claims for tinea pedis, respiratory disability (including chronic bronchitis, COPD, and other respiratory pathology related to pulmonary eosinophilic granulomatosis and obstructive sleep apnea), foot disability other than tinea pedis, upper extremity diabetic neuropathy, and right knee disability are still pending and need further examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining an opinion from a mental health clinician regarding whether the Veteran's PTSD aggravated his nicotine dependence or addiction.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for COPD, CAD, aortic aneurysm, and squamous cell carcinoma due to inadequate examinations and lack of confirmation of in-service asbestos exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional records related to his hospitalization in Heidelberg, West Germany. The VA must attempt to obtain these records and any reports from his company commander.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and a need for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's COPD.

The Board has denied service connection for arteriosclerosis obliterans, low circulation of lower extremities and remanded the claims for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and hypertensive vascular disease (hypertension and isolated systolic hypertension).

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70% rating, but the claims for diabetes with peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and COPD were denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for COPD and low back disability due to insufficient evidence in the record. The VA will need to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions, specifically whether they are related to service or secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for side effects of medication taken for asthma and COPD, finding that the evidence did not establish additional disability resulting from VA treatment.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis was dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal prior to a decision being made. The lung and sleep apnea claims are remanded.