COPD Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for COPD, coronary artery disease, jungle rot of the feet, and hypertension due to service connection issues. The Veteran was exposed to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete development of records from Tinker Air Force Base and Sampson AFB, which may be relevant to the Veteran's claim for service connection for pulmonary disease. The AOJ is instructed to request these records and provide a medical opinion regarding the etiology of any current pulmonary disease.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for an eye injury and lung condition have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeals.,New evidence has reopened his claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, but the Board has not found a current disability or established a link to service for all of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral interstitial fibrosis due to asbestosis is granted, but his COPD is denied. The case for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for COPD as the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of COPD and his nonspecific interstitial lung disease is already service-connected.,The Board has remanded the claims for an eye disability, recurrent cysts to include scars due to removal of cysts, dermatitis, skin cancer, BPH, GERD, CKD, and back disability as there are factual questions regarding herbicide exposure in Thailand and fuel exhaust, oil, chemicals, or herbicides during active service.,The Board has remanded the claims for an eye disability, recurrent cysts to include scars due to removal of cysts, dermatitis, skin cancer, BPH, GERD, CKD, and back disability as there are factual questions regarding herbicide exposure in Thailand and fuel exhaust, oil, chemicals, or herbicides during active service.,The Board has remanded the claims for an eye disability, recurrent cysts to include scars due to removal of cysts, dermatitis, skin cancer, BPH, GERD, CKD, and back disability as there are factual questions regarding herbicide exposure in Thailand and fuel exhaust, oil, chemicals, or herbicides during active service.,The Board has remanded the claims for an eye disability, recurrent cysts to include scars due to removal of cysts, dermatitis, skin cancer, BPH, GERD, CKD, and back disability as there are factual questions regarding herbicide exposure in Thailand and fuel exhaust, oil, chemicals, or herbicides during active service.,The Board has remanded the claims for an eye disability, recurrent cysts to include scars due to removal of cysts, dermatitis, skin cancer, BPH, GERD, CKD, and back disability as there are factual questions regarding herbicide exposure in Thailand and fuel exhaust, oil, chemicals, or herbicides during active service.,The Board has remanded the claims for an eye disability, recurrent cysts to include scars due to removal of cysts, dermatitis, skin cancer, BPH, GERD, CKD, and back disability as there are factual questions regarding herbicide exposure in Thailand and fuel exhaust, oil, chemicals, or herbicides during active service.,The Board has remanded the claims for an eye disability, recurrent cysts to include scars due to removal of cysts, dermatitis, skin cancer, BPH, GERD, CKD, and back disability as there are factual questions regarding herbicide exposure in Thailand and fuel exhaust, oil, chemicals, or herbicides during active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have a bilateral foot, right leg, or left leg disability during his lifetime. The appellant's statements regarding these disabilities are not considered competent evidence as they do not demonstrate medical expertise.,The Veteran was diagnosed with CAD in 1999, which is more than 37 years after his discharge from service. There is no evidence linking the diagnosis to his service or any incident therein.

The Veteran's claims for right thumb sprain, COPD, and flatfeet have been denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.,Sleep apnea, right knee instability (post-meniscectomy), right knee degenerative arthritis (post-meniscectomy), and left knee tendinitis are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a respiratory disorder, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease due to asbestos exposure, is denied as there was no in-service diagnosis or relationship between the current condition and service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a chronic respiratory disorder, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current COPD and his time in service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder other than asbestos plaques, an initial compensable rating for asbestos plaques in the left lower lobe, and TDIU due to incomplete medical opinions provided by the VA expert.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, to include as due to asbestos exposure, needs further examination and evidence before a decision can be made.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for hepatitis C, service connection for COPD, immune thrombocytopenic purpura, and gastrointestinal bleeding. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, erectile dysfunction, a thyroid disability, hypertension, and high cholesterol are denied.,Service connection is not granted as the evidence does not support an in-service occurrence or relationship to service for any of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's cause of death being listed as pneumonia and COPD, which are not directly service-connected conditions. However, given the Veteran's verified service in Vietnam and presumed exposure to herbicides, a VA opinion is needed to determine if his cause of death was related to herbicide exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory system disability, including asbestosis. The evidence did not support a diagnosis of asbestosis and there was no probative evidence linking COPD to service or claimed asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's COPD is granted as service connected, and the case of a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to new evidence received since his last Statement of the Case. The Veteran is requested to provide information about any recent medical care providers and updated VA treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death and burial benefits due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives. The claim will be further developed, including obtaining an etiological opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service and his death.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination and opinion regarding whether there is a nexus between the Veteran's COPD and active service. The Veteran served in combat in Vietnam, where he was exposed to exhaust fumes and burn pits.