COPD Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus was denied, but he was granted a total disability rating for individual unemployability (TDIU) from December 17, 2008 to February 4, 2019.

The Veteran's cause of death (coronary artery disease, diabetes, and COPD) is not service-connected. The case is remanded to determine the relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, bilateral upper and lower extremity polyneuropathy, vasculitis, psoriatic arthritis, and osteoporosis as the evidence did not show these conditions were related to or caused by the Veteran's active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, hypertension, and bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service or toxic herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service-connected. The Board has remanded several other issues for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's left knee disability and bilateral hearing loss have been granted service connection. Service connection for type two diabetes mellitus, heart condition, prostate cancer, and right knee disability is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and evaluation of his respiratory disorder, including lung nodules, and for an updated hearing loss examination. The issues of service connection for a respiratory disorder and initial rating for bilateral hearing loss are also being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), sleep apnea, and heart disease as there is no evidence showing a causal relationship between the conditions and active duty service.

The Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for left knee disability, COPD, hypertension, skin cancer, and heart condition are all remanded due to incomplete service treatment records. The Board finds new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the claim for left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's exposure to jet fuel and associated fumes caused his COPD, which led to his death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU due to incomplete records, unclear effective dates, and need for additional medical opinions. The issues include service connection for sleep apnea and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to May 8, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating of 100 percent for chronic bronchitis with COPD is granted, effective April 6, 2014. The issue of entitlement to total disability based on individual unemployability prior to December 14, 2016, is dismissed as moot.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, a left foot disability to include plantar fasciitis and tinea pedis, and hemorrhoids. The Board found that there was no current diagnosis of COPD or any other respiratory condition, and that the Veteran did not have an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD due to asbestos exposure was denied because the evidence did not show in-service asbestos exposure or that his COPD had its onset in or was otherwise caused by his service. The Board found new and material evidence, but it did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for urinary tract disorder and COPD, finding no evidence of a current disability related to his active service.

The Board has denied an increased compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and has remanded the issues of service connection for a lung disability (COPD) due to in-service asbestos exposure, as well as the issue of TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including emphysema and COPD, as there was no evidence of asbestos exposure during service or that his current conditions are related to military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD due to asbestos exposure and denied his claim for service connection for sleep apnea. The case is remanded for further development regarding the COPD claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether PTSD caused or aggravated nicotine dependence, and whether IHD caused or aggravated COPD.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disability, finding that the Veteran's COPD was not related to his service or any in-service injury. The opinion provided by the VA medical professional concluded that there is no evidence linking the Veteran’s COPD to exposure to asbestos, lead paint, and gun powder.