COPD Board decisions

The Board has decided that the Veteran's COPD may have begun during service or within one year of discharge, and thus remands for an addendum medical opinion to consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding his exposure to gas in training and reports of dyspnea between service and 1975.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the criteria for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 were not met.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete compliance with previous instructions, and an addendum opinion is required regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's respiratory problems including asthma and COPD.

Service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) is granted as accrued benefits. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and factitious disorder with predominantly psychological signs and symptoms, COPD, and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are denied as accrued benefits.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for an examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected right knee disorder. An addendum opinion on the respiratory disorder claim is also needed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD and bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a lower back disorder but denied service connection for a pulmonary disorder (chronic bronchitis and COPD). The lower back disorder is found to be at least as likely as not related to active duty service. However, the pulmonary disorder is not related to active duty service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for cervical spine, COPD, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome have been granted. The claim for knee disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, TDIU, and SMC based on need for aid and attendance were all denied as there is no evidence of a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for updated VA and private treatment records, as the Veteran provided information about his ongoing treatment at Beckley VAMC and from Dr. Remines.

The Veteran's lung disability (claimed as asthma) was not pending at the time of his death, and therefore, accrued benefits for this condition are denied.

The Board denied service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and heart condition, finding that the evidence did not support a current diagnosis of these conditions.,Service connection was also denied for common variable immune deficiency sinusitis due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has reopened the service connection claim for asthma and remanded the issues of service connection for COPD, emphysema, and allergic rhinitis due to new evidence received since the last final denial.

The Veteran's IBS is granted a 30 percent rating.,Service connection for COPD and sleep disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence.,Joint pain of ankles, knees, lower legs, shoulders, arms, and wrists are remanded due to insufficient evidence.,GERD and erectile dysfunction are remanded due to insufficient evidence.,No effective date provided as the decision is for appeal purposes only.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed. The appeal to establish entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability was denied. Appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and COPD were withdrawn prior to the Board decision.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinion regarding Agent Orange exposure and COPD. The Veteran is asked to provide additional medical evidence, including an opinion from his treating physician Dr. M.L., and a VA addendum opinion must be provided.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not contribute to his death, and the Board found that liposarcoma was not a contributory cause of sepsis. The Board denied service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's COPD has been granted an increased disability rating of 30 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The TDIU claim is being remanded for further action.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and entitlement to SMC based on aid and attendance or housebound status due to his service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding that COPD was incurred in service, nor did it show he required regular aid and assistance or be permanently confined to his premises.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty about whether the Veteran served within 12 nautical miles of the Republic of Vietnam, which could affect his eligibility for presumptive service connection for lung cancer.