COPD Board decisions

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy, COPD, sleep apnea, a left leg disability, and a cervical spine disability has been granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's lung cancer was caused by exposure to contaminated water from Camp Lejeune or air pollutants from oil and trash fires in the Persian Gulf War. The VA needs to conduct further research and provide a medical opinion on these issues.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for high cholesterol, COPD, carotid artery disease, and hypertension due to potential in-service exposure to hazardous substances.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the relationship between the Veteran's COPD and her service, including exposure to burn pits in Southwest Asia. The appeal will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD is reopened and remanded to determine if his in-service exposure caused or contributed to his current condition.

The Veteran's service connection claim for COPD has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The Board is remanding this issue for further development.,Service connection for IHD was denied as there is no evidence that it began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, finding no evidence of its onset in service or a causal relationship to service. The Veteran's smoking history was considered the primary cause of his condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for TDIU due to his service-connected COPD, finding that he is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's death was attributed to respiratory failure due to COPD, congestive heart disease, and peripheral vascular disease. The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion regarding whether his coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus type II contributed to his cause of death.

The Board has denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, peripheral neuropathy (PN) of the right upper extremity (RUE), and peripheral neuropathy (PN) of the left upper extremity (LUE). The Veteran's claims were not based on presumptive exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating and earlier effective date for obstructive sleep apnea was denied. The Veteran's respiratory conditions were merged into one disability rating of 100 percent as of June 1, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for a gastrointestinal disorder is reopened, but service connection is denied.,Service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition for VA purposes.,Service connection for a respiratory disorder (COPD) is denied due to lack of in-service diagnosis and no evidence of asbestos exposure.,Service connection for a skin disorder (dermatophytosis of the foot) is denied as there is no link between service and current disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, increased rating for spontaneous pneumothorax, and TDIU due to unresolved issues. The Veteran is seeking service connection for COPD which may be related to his active duty service or surgery performed for his service-connected spontaneous pneumothorax.

The Board denied service connection for low back, left hip, right hip, and COPD disabilities. The rating for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.,An effective date of July 28, 2006, for the grant of service connection for hearing loss with a 10 percent rating is dismissed.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses at Baptist Easley Hospital on February 14, 2016 are denied because the condition was not an emergency and VA facilities were feasibly available.

The Board denied service connection for COPD and lower bilateral sciatic nerve paralysis, finding no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant due to lack of permanent and total disability ratings for service-connected conditions, specifically chronic bronchitis and COPD.

Service connection is granted for PTSD and schizoaffective disorder, but denied for COPD, asthma, and erectile dysfunction. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for erectile dysfunction due to VA treatment is also denied.