COPD Board decisions

The Veteran's death was caused by metastatic malignant melanoma, with pulmonary fibrosis and COPD contributing to his death. The Board found that the Veteran had a service-connected respiratory disorder related to in-service asbestos exposure, which contributed to his death.

The Board has denied service connection for sleep apnea, COPD, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD due to herbicide exposure. The remaining issues are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction secondary to diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease secondary to diabetes mellitus, residuals of a stroke secondary to diabetes mellitus, and COPD due to outstanding medical records and additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's death at a private hospital is being reviewed for eligibility for VA burial benefits. The appellant contends that the Veteran was under VA-contracted care at the time of his death, but VA records are needed to confirm this. She must provide any additional medical records pertinent to her claim.

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

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for emphysema, COPD, and pneumonia due to outstanding records from service treatment and VA/privately held records. The Veteran's current respiratory conditions are also being evaluated.

The Board has granted the Veteran's requests to reopen his claims for service connection for right hand disability, residuals of a right foot injury, bilateral knee disability, and COPD. The claim for service connection for bilateral shoulder disability is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and cause of death, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his COPD and service or service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran withdrew his claims related to COPD, left lung scars, and restrictive lung disease prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Veteran's interstitial lung disease/asbestosis is rated at a 60 percent prior to December 6, 2017, and a 100 percent rating since then.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD and dismissed his appeal regarding bilateral hearing loss. The issue of service connection for basal cell carcinoma (skin cancer) is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that there was no evidence to support a direct relationship between his current condition and his in-service exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's fatal respiratory disabilities had onset in, or are otherwise related to service. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the claim of service connection for COPD, as the Veteran's current condition is more likely due to his significant smoking history and post-service exposure to asbestos in a steel mill. The Board found insufficient evidence linking the Veteran's in-service exposure to asbestos with his current COPD.

The Veteran was granted a higher initial rating of 60 percent for service-connected COPD from December 1, 2015 to January 28, 2019.,An initial rating higher than 60 percent for service-connected COPD beginning on January 29, 2019 was denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of a VA examination and for further development, including obtaining updated treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, including asthma and COPD, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence to support the presumption of soundness regarding asthma. The Board also found that there was no evidence of aggravation during service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a lung condition and for an increased rating for headaches due to inadequate examination reports and incomplete treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange and a need for an addendum medical opinion on whether his lung cancer is related to service-connected COPD.

Service connection for PTSD has been granted.,Service connection for COPD and Stroke have not been established, with the Veteran's COPD being attributed to his smoking history and service-connected PTSD potentially aggravating his pre-existing erectile dysfunction.