COPD Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for allergies, COPD, intestinal disorders, acid reflux disorder, and kidney disorder as the evidence did not support a link to military service.

The Board has determined that the February 1998 rating decision denying service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death did not become final, and therefore, the claim needed to be reopened. The case was remanded for a VA examiner to provide an opinion on whether COPD, stomach cancer or any service-connected disability is related to active duty service including herbicide exposure and whether it caused the Veteran’s death.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and requests for additional information.

The Veteran's COPD and bronchiectasis are granted service connection, with the latter being attributed to exposure to environmental hazards during service in the Persian Gulf.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the previously denied claim for restricted lung disease (COPD and bronchial asthma) has been withdrawn. The issues of service connection for traumatic brain injury, left knee degenerative joint disease, tinnitus, left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, and migraine headaches have all been granted.,The Veteran's petition to reopen the previously denied claim for left knee degenerative joint disease has been granted. The issues of service connection for traumatic brain injury, tinnitus, left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, and migraine headaches have all been remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for pulmonary disabilities and fatigue-related disabilities due to service, including consideration of all evidence of record and a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for COPD and TDIU due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's COPD.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The issues of service connection for COPD, bilateral neuropathy, and skin cancer are remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the issue of service connection for PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current pulmonary conditions are related to service, specifically presumed Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam. The Veteran can still establish direct service connection based on actual causation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and COPD due to in-service herbicide exposure as there is insufficient competent evidence to determine if these conditions are related to such exposure.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right ear hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder, GERD, abdominal aortic aneurysm, type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, respiratory disorders, vocal cord dysfunction, bilateral knee and shoulder disorders, lumbar spine disorder, and scars. The development includes obtaining service personnel records for the Veteran's periods of active duty and National Guard service, as well as verifying any qualifying periods of service.,The Board also notes that the Veteran has contended that his conditions are related to hazardous exposures during his period of active duty, including exposure to jet fuel and chemicals. The AOJ should attempt to verify these claims and obtain VA medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam and due to December 1966 pneumonia, finding that there was no medical evidence linking his current condition to these factors.

The Veteran's service-connected sarcoidosis is rated at 30 percent, which requires low dose corticosteroids and corresponds to a COPD rating.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted to support the Veteran's claims for service connection of lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, PTSD, bronchial asthma, COPD, bilateral sciatica, and erectile dysfunction. The claims are being remanded due to outstanding VA and private treatment records not having been obtained.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU prior to September 28, 2018 due to his service-connected disabilities. The issue of a TDIU from September 28, 2018 is dismissed as moot because the Veteran's combined schedular disability rating reached 100 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for his cause of death, finding that there was no evidence linking his fatal pneumonia and other conditions to his active duty service.

The Veteran's COPD was rated at a 30% disability rating between November 29, 2016 and January 7, 2018. On and after December 29, 2017, the Veteran received a 100% disability rating for his service-connected COPD.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for bronchitis, COPD, pleurisy, and pneumonia. The Veteran's claim for a skin disability was remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining missing medical records and ensuring VA fulfilled its duty to assist. The issues of increased disability ratings for chronic left Achilles tendonitis and residuals of pneumonia with left lower lung scar and COPD, as well as TDIU, are now pending.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for asbestosis, pulmonary hypertension, and COPD due to inadequate efforts in verifying the Veteran's claimed in-service asbestos exposure. The VA examiner is required to review the file and provide an opinion on whether these conditions are etiologically related to any aspect of active duty service.