COPD Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for COPD and hypertension due to lack of a VA opinion on their etiology, as well as outstanding VA treatment records that need to be obtained.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD, but denied service connection for skin cancer and PTSD.

The Board has denied the Veteran's service connection claims for COPD and a right shoulder disability. The hypertension claim is remanded due to a duty to assist error.,Service connection for COPD, lung fungus, was denied as there was insufficient evidence of a nexus between current diagnosis and in-service pneumonia.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of cirrhosis of the liver, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, and sleep apnea due to the Veteran's death.

The Board dismissed the appeals for bilateral hearing loss and left shoulder disability as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision. The right wrist and elbow neurological disabilities, and COPD are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD and asbestos related lung disease are related to his in-service exposure, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for asthma. The issues of service connection for COPD and asthma have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether COPD is secondary to service-connected pulmonary tuberculosis. The Veteran's claim for service connection will be reconsidered with additional medical opinions and consideration of relevant articles.

The VA denied the claim for service connection for COPD as there was no evidence linking the condition to service, including asbestos exposure. The Board found that the Veteran's COPD is more likely due to his long-term tobacco use post-service.

The Veteran's death was attributed to COPD and Congestive Heart Failure, with PTSD being suggested as a contributing factor. The Board has ordered additional development to determine if the Veteran had PTSD due to service and whether it contributed to his death.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on all issues has been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his appeal by his representative prior to his death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic respiratory condition during service and noting that his smoking history outweighed any potential exposure to unknown substances in service.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and lung disease. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment prior to his death.

The Veteran's cause of death was not attributable to service, any incident of service, or a service-connected disability. The appellant's claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is also denied as the Veteran did not meet the criteria for total disability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed all claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is at least as likely as not related to his service, specifically exposure to chlorine gas and asbestos. As a result, the claim for service connection for COPD is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Marshfield Clinic, Eau Claire Center on March 14, 2016 due to lack of emergency condition and feasible availability of VA facilities.

The Veteran's lung disabilities, including asbestosis with asthma and COPD, were rated at 30 percent from December 8, 2011 to June 29, 2012. The rating was increased to 30 percent effective June 29, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have been granted. Service connection for interstitial pulmonary fibrosis has not been established, as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for COPD, asthma, and obstructive sleep apnea due to incomplete evidence. The Veteran will need to provide additional medical opinions regarding his exposure to asbestos, herbicide agents, concrete dust, silica fibers, and creosote vapors, as well as obtain updated VA treatment records.