COPD Board decisions

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to incomplete records and requests for additional information from SSA.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not proximately caused by carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault on the part of VA. The evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's discharge from the hospital was due to negligence or carelessness.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a low back disability and respiratory issues, due to potential herbicide exposure while aboard the U.S.S. Wichita during his Vietnam War service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a respiratory disability, including COPD and asbestosis, is granted due to the evidence showing in-service asbestos exposure and current respiratory disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequacy of the VA examination, specifically regarding the diagnosis of bronchiectasis and exposure in service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to noise exposure during his active service.,The Veteran's tinnitus is related to noise exposure during his active service. The Board finds that the Veteran has current diagnoses of hearing loss and tinnitus that had their onset during active service.,Service connection for COPD is remanded due to lack of verification of asbestos exposure, and a VA examination is necessary to determine if any currently diagnosed respiratory disability is related to service or asbestos exposure.,Service connection for a heart disability, to include coronary artery disease, is remanded. A VA examination is necessary to determine the current nature and etiology of the Veteran's heart disability, including whether it was caused by herbicide agent exposure during service.,The initial compensable disability rating for Dupuytren's contracture of the right little finger is remanded due to lack of verification of asbestos exposure, and a VA examination is necessary to determine if any currently diagnosed respiratory disability is related to service or asbestos exposure.,The initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for Dupuytren's contracture of the right index finger is remanded. A VA examination is necessary to determine the current nature and etiology of the Veteran's heart disability, including whether it was caused by herbicide agent exposure during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The appeals are granted as to cervical spine arthritis, left knee arthritis (left), right hand arthritis, right foot arthritis, COPD, and asthma.

The Board has determined that the June 2013 VA examination was inadequate and requires a retrospective medical opinion to determine the nature and severity of the Veteran's service-connected lung cancer residuals prior to August 27, 2014.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted as service connected due to exposure to herbicide agents. The claim for COPD and PTSD remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for left trigger finger and COPD, asthma, and bronchitis. The claim for service connection of the left upper arm and shoulder disability is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the possible link between the Veteran's in-service exposure and his death, as well as the possible link between his service-connected urethritis and his fatal conditions.

The Board has ordered additional development to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU, as well as his claim for SMC for aid and assistance. The issues include respiratory condition (including COPD) and hiatal hernia.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's sleep apnea, finding that it is secondary to his already service-connected COPD.

The Veteran's COPD with restrictive lung disease and pleural plaques is rated at 30 percent from October 4, 2017 (excluding the period beginning October 16, 2019).

The Veteran's OSA and COPD have been granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected UDD.,Service connection for diabetes and ED has been denied.

The Veteran's service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) is granted due to presumed exposure to an herbicide agent. Service connection for Parkinson's disease and a respiratory disability are denied. The cause of the Veteran’s death, congestive heart failure, is found to be related to his service-connected CAD.

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbar spine disorder, COPD, left knee disorder, gastrointestinal disorder (claimed as diverticulitis), skin disorder (claimed as eczema), and polymyositis due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his previously denied service connection for chronic bronchitis, claimed as pneumonia, is granted. The Board also remanded the claims for emphysema and COPD due to new evidence received.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes mellitus, and thyroid cancer due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional development regarding the Veteran's claim of service connection for a respiratory disorder, including asbestosis and/or COPD, which may be related to exposure to asbestos and/or herbicides. The focus is on determining if the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during his service aboard the USS Kitty Hawk.