COPD Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's COPD, specifically his exposure to burn pits while deployed in Afghanistan. The Veteran is requested to provide additional private medical records and a VA examination will be scheduled.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for left hip condition, left knee condition, and erectile dysfunction have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for COPD and cause of death.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's lung conditions, including asbestosis and COPD, are related to his service. The Veteran needs a new examination to determine if these conditions are aggravated by his service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been granted, and he is now entitled to VA benefits starting from the date of his original claim in July 15, 2014.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for lumbar strain service connection remains pending as there was no prior formal or informal claim filed before July 15, 2014.

The Veteran's COPD is related to his in-service asbestos exposure, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for COPD and asbestosis, but has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea and TDIU due to new evidence received since the last final denial. A VA examination is needed to address the relationship between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for COPD with history of asthma and a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities are being remanded as the VA treatment records need to be obtained, and he needs to undergo a VA examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for his pulmonary disability, including restrictive lung disease, COPD, and bronchitis, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic condition related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sarcoidosis and COPD has been granted, along with an earlier effective date for SMC based on a need for aid and attendance.,However, the Veteran's request for an increased rate of SMC was denied as he does not meet the eligibility criteria under VA regulations.

Service connection for COPD is granted. An increased rating for the Veteran's psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder and PTSD) is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claim due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's emphysema is at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected right lobe bronchiectasis with COPD.

The Veteran's death is remanded for a new VA opinion to determine if his service-connected conditions contributed to his death. The burial benefits claim is also remanded due to its inextricability with the cause of death claim.

The Veteran's COPD compensable rating claim is withdrawn.,The effective date for TDIU prior to January 27, 2016 is denied.,A staged disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD prior to April 1, 2016 is granted and a staged rating in excess of 70 percent after February 17, 2016 is denied.,Service connection for sleep apnea, right knee disability, and diabetes are all denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including as due to exposure to herbicide agents. The VA examiner is requested to review all pertinent records and provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that the disorder manifested during or was caused by active service, including the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disorder, broken sternum, left shoulder disorder, vision disorder, COPD, acquired psychiatric disorder, and jaw disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.,There is no competent medical evidence linking any of the claimed disorders to the Veteran's time in active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including emphysema, COPD, bronchitis and chronic upper respiratory infections, finding that there was no evidence of in-service exposure or injury related to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, COPD, and hernias have been remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The appeal for service connection for a bilateral knee disability is dismissed.,Service connection for COPD and prostate cancer are denied as the preponderance of evidence does not support a link to in-service asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, cirrhosis of the liver, Hepatitis C, and a respiratory disorder other than COPD (lung cancer) are all denied. The claim for COPD is not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.,Service connection for lung cancer and a respiratory disorder other than COPD are also denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, prostate cancer, neck cancer, low back condition, and COPD are all remanded for further examination and opinion. The appeals will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.