COPD Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD and asbestosis are not related to service or asbestos exposure in service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and confirming the Veteran's name change. The VA examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether COPD was related to service or aggravated by PTSD.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected.,Service connection for a lumbar spine disability is denied.,Service connection for COPD is denied.,Service connection for hearing loss is denied.,Service connection for a left ankle condition is denied.,Service connection for sterility is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of his service-connected COPD is dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a posterior chest shell fragment wound are not rated higher than the current 60 percent, and his TDIU rating is denied prior to July 17, 2012.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, and the Board dismissed it due to lack of allegations of errors in fact or law.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current respiratory disorder, including asbestosis and COPD, is not related to service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that his current condition was caused by in-service asbestos exposure or any other event, illness, injury, or disease.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia claim is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,The Veteran's asthma and emphysema/COPD claims are denied due to lack of service connection.

The Board has denied a higher rating for bronchial asthma with COPD prior to November 6, 2018. The remaining issues of increased ratings and service connection are remanded.

The claim of service connection for pulmonary hypertension has been granted, while the claim for COPD remains denied. The case is remanded for further evaluation and determination regarding ischemic heart disease and TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hyperlipidemia, anemia, sinusitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a right heel condition, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The Board found that there was no evidence of these conditions during or within one year following his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for respiratory conditions, GERD, and hypertension due to additional VA treatment records being added to his file. The claims are remanded for further development including obtaining addendum opinions from a VA examiner regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, myelodysplastic syndrome, and abdominal aortic aneurism have been granted. Claims for colon cancer, chronic renal disease, polycystic kidney disease (claimed as kidney failure), cerebrovascular accident (claimed as stroke), COPD, atrial fibrillation, and emphysema are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for COPD and bilateral eye condition due to inadequate opinions regarding their etiology. The VA is instructed to obtain new medical opinions addressing whether these conditions are related to service, including service-connected sinusitis and rhinitis.

The Veteran's spouse requires regular aid and attendance due to multiple health conditions, including fibromyalgia, lumbosacral strain, cervicalgia, lower extremity radicular pain, right shoulder osteoarthritis, COPD, and anxiety disorder. The Board granted the claim for aid and attendance special monthly compensation (SMC) for care of the Veteran’s spouse.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to inadequate opinions regarding his claimed conditions. The Veteran is to be provided with additional examinations by clinicians who have not previously examined him.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's claims, including VA treatment records and medical opinions regarding his lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, curved spine, bilateral lower extremity condition, COPD, and thyroid condition.

The Veteran's petitions to reopen claims of service connection for various conditions were denied as new and material evidence was not received. The appeals are dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, sleep apnea, COPD, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to his service-connected conditions. The VA examiners found no causal relationship between these disabilities and the service-connected conditions.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claim that his COPD began during or is otherwise causally related to active service, including exposure to jet engine fuel and asbestos.