COPD Board decisions

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for a low back condition, respiratory conditions (asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder), depression, anxiety, sleep apnea, migraines, left knee condition, right shoulder bursitis, and memory loss. The claims are remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for examinations to determine the nature and etiology of her claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including verification of asbestos exposure during service and an opinion on whether the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability contributed to his death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and records.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and records.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right hip disability is remanded due to the need for an opinion on whether his current condition is related to service or a service-connected disability.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for opinions on whether his sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, type 2, erectile dysfunction, and skin condition are related to service or a service-connected disability. The issues of service connection for melanoma and amputation of two toes on the left foot (claimed as due to melanoma) are also remanded.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for other specified trauma is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination, and his claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability is remanded due to the need for opinions on whether his service-connected disabilities are related or aggravated by each other.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for opinions on whether his respiratory condition (COPD), sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, type 2, erectile dysfunction, and skin condition are related to service or a service-connected disability. The issues of service connection for melanoma and amputation of two toes on the left foot (claimed as due to melanoma) are also remanded.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his skin disability claim was granted. His claims for service connection for a pulmonary disability, an eye disability, and hearing loss were denied on the merits. The Veteran's bladder cancer claim is remanded. Other issues are also remanded.

The Veteran's urinary incontinence is granted a higher initial rating of 40 percent. The cases for bilateral hearing loss, COPD, and diabetes mellitus type 2 are remanded.

Service connection for PTSD, a left knee disorder, OSA, COPD, GERD, and headaches has been granted.,Effective dates prior to the specified dates have not been established.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including service connection for various conditions and exposure basis determinations. The Veteran's claims are being reviewed to determine if new evidence supports reopening of the claims.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed conditions and missing treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for left and right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome were denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was reopened, but service connection is still not established.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lung conditions, specifically chronic bronchitis and asthma. The Veteran is presumed to have been sound at service enlistment for asthma.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current COPD is related to his service due to asbestos exposure, and thus grants service connection for COPD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and active service or asbestos exposure. The preponderance of the evidence supported the conclusion that COPD is not related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and incomplete medical records. The Veteran's service connection claim for emphysema is being reviewed again with new evidence and a thorough examination.

The Veteran's lung disability, including COPD, is granted as service-connected. The Board also finds that the left side residual surgical scars are secondary to his service-connected COPD.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, was granted. Claims for asthma, CFS, bronchitis, TBI, sleep apnea, COPD, and heart disorder were dismissed.

The Veteran's COPD was granted service connection based on in-service exposure to burn pits and other chemicals as an aircraft mechanic, with the Board finding that these exposures contributed to his development of COPD.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for asthma, entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for asbestosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and entitlement to TDIU prior to October 28, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a groin injury is denied, and his applications to reopen claims of service connection for COPD and lumbar spine disorder are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service records, and requests that additional attempts be made to obtain these records. The Veteran's lung disorder claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for fibromyalgia, asthma, COPD, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and dizziness have been granted as qualifying chronic disabilities due to undiagnosed illness. The Board found current clinical diagnoses of these conditions were not established.