COPD Board decisions

The Veteran's service connection for a respiratory disorder, including COPD, chronic bronchitis, and dyspnea is granted. The other issues are remanded.

The COPD claim to reopen was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal. The allergies claim to reopen was denied because new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to establish service connection.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims regarding his respiratory conditions, including COPD and its secondary effects. The appeal will be remanded to allow for additional evidence collection.

The Veteran's appeal for restoration of a 40 percent rating for intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) is granted, effective May 1, 2018. The appeals for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy service connection and other issues are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's migraine headaches, right wrist ganglion cyst, thoracic spine DJD, and bilateral foot calluses are all being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for pulmonary nodule, coin lesion due to insufficient compliance with previous instructions.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, chronic sinusitis, and right arm malignant melanoma with residual scar. The evidence did not support the Veteran's claims of in-service exposure to herbicides or Agent Orange.

The Veteran's asthma, emphysema and COPD were not incurred or aggravated during service. The Board found no evidence of asbestos exposure causing these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The issues of service connection for supraventricular tachycardia, atrial fibrillation (as secondary to service-connected sleep apnea or sinusitis), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as secondary to service-connected sinusitis are remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include unspecified depressive disorder and PTSD is granted. The Veteran's fear of losing his life during the USS Enterprise fire is considered a contributing factor in his current diagnosis.,COPD due to asbestos exposure is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for respiratory, skin, and heart disabilities are being remanded due to incomplete development of his exposure history at Dugway Proving Ground.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination regarding the relationship between the Veteran's COPD and his in-service herbicide exposure. The examiner is asked to provide an opinion on whether COPD is related to service, including the conceded herbicide exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for respiratory disorders, finding that there is no medical evidence linking his current respiratory conditions to his service-connected left lower lung pneumothorax disability or to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for asbestosis has been reopened and granted.,Service connection is established for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, tension headaches, COPD, and obstructive sleep apnea, all of which are found to be related to the Veteran's service-connected herniated disc disorder.

The Veteran's appeal of the issue of entitlement to a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction (ED) is dismissed. The Veteran’s prostate cancer claim was denied, and his COPD claim was also denied. The Board has remanded several other issues including service connection for Lyme disease, arthritis of various joints, chronic fatigue, gout, rashes, memory loss, and Bell's Palsy.

The Board dismissed the claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, skin cancer (tumor condition), and respiratory disorder due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or related to active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD due to asbestos exposure during the Veteran's active naval service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is granted as incurred during service. Raynaud's syndrome of both hands and respiratory disorders are denied due to lack of evidence linking them to service.

The Board has remanded both issues of service connection for the Veteran's liver adenocarcinoma and cause of death due to COPD, as these claims are inextricably intertwined with the substitution and accrued benefits claim. Additional development is required, including obtaining medical records from Drs. L.B. and S.B., and providing a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's liver cancer and COPD.

The Board denied service connection for COPD and heart condition, finding that the Veteran's conditions were more likely due to his smoking history rather than service. The Board also denied special monthly pension benefits as the Veteran did not require aid and attendance or meet the criteria for housebound status.