COPD Board decisions

The Board has not been able to determine the reason for the Veteran's separation from service and needs clarification. Additionally, the AOJ must obtain his complete medical records from his time in active service, including hospitalizations due to ash and dust exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral vascular disease (claimed as peripheral artery disease) and COPD and pulmonary emphysema, status post double lung transplant is denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a direct relationship to service or any service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's right shoulder and cervical spine disabilities, as well as a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current low back disability.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death, finding that COPD and atrial fibrillation were not related to his active service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical records and an updated opinion from a VA examiner regarding the Veteran's lung disability.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim for service connection of COPD but denied all other claims due to lack of new and material evidence. The Veteran's sleep apnea, tinnitus, neuropathy of upper extremities, and left lower extremity are not related to service.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 60 percent evaluation for COPD and his TDIU benefits effective September 1, 2017, based on evidence showing improvement in functional capacity.

The Veteran's pleural plaques and COPD are being remanded for further evaluation due to new evidence of increased severity since the last VA examination in June 2018.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including arthritis with bone disease, skin cancer and ulcers, allergies, pulmonary disorder/COPD, birth defects, and thyroid disease. The cases are being referred for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for COPD, oropharyngeal cancer, and renal failure due to chemotherapy.,Service connection is being denied for COPD as it is not related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for high blood pressure, heart condition, right eye condition, and emphysema (COPD) as the preponderance of evidence did not support a causal relationship to service or any related conditions.

The Veteran's appeal of the effective date for a 60 percent rating for his service-connected respiratory disability, to include asthma, COPD, pulmonary emphysema, and bronchitis, is remanded due to procedural issues. The AOJ must consider all applicable diagnostic codes in its analysis.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for heart condition and COPD due to outstanding VA treatment records from before June 1992.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on all issues except PTSD was dismissed. The Board found that the Veteran had been diagnosed with PTSD and supported by medical and lay evidence, thus granting service connection for PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to an inadequate July 2017 VA medical opinion and issues raised by the record under 38 C.F.R. § 3.312(c)(3).

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether COPD is related to service, specifically in-service exposure. The Veteran's claim will be reviewed again with a new examination and opinion.

The Veteran's respiratory disorder, including COPD, asbestosis, and pneumoconiosis, is granted service connection. Placement of an implantable cardiac pacemaker is denied due to lack of evidence linking it to active duty service. Ionizing radiation exposure is not considered a qualifying condition for VA benefits.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service. The cervical spine disability issue remains pending and will be remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues are a skin disorder, including dermatitis and eczema, and residuals of a right ankle strain.