COPD Board decisions

The Board has remanded the cases due to a request by the Veteran to participate in VA's RAMP program, and VBA did not process this request before transferring the appeal to the Board.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's respiratory disorders, and additional records are needed.

The Veteran's tinnitus, MDD with alcohol substance abuse, and right ear hearing loss have been granted service connection. However, the effective dates for these conditions are October 11, 2016.,The claims of service connection for tendinitis, left ear hearing loss, glaucoma, a thoracolumbar spine disability, COPD, hypertension, carpal tunnel syndrome, sleep apnea, and stomach ulcer remain pending. Further development is needed to determine the current status of these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for collapsed lungs and COPD is denied. The case is remanded for further development regarding his claim of compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's death and service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for COPD, OSA, hypertension, GERD, and a skin condition are granted. The effective dates for these grants are September 30, 2013. A TDIU is granted from April 1, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of pulmonary tuberculosis (inactive) is dismissed. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection and etiology of respiratory disorders.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to asbestos and/or poisonous gases, which may be related to his COPD. A VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran’s COPD.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether COPD, which was listed as the cause of death on the Veteran's death certificate, is related to service. The appellant and her representative argue that the Veteran had chronic lung issues in service leading to his death from COPD.

The Veteran's COPD is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to his presumed herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD has been dismissed because the Veteran passed away during the appeal process.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for oral surgery residuals, COPD, and an eye disorder. The cases are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and to ensure all relevant evidence is considered.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates for his service-connected tinnitus, but has remanded several other issues including service connection for various conditions. The Veteran is also required to provide authorization for VA to obtain certain medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional consideration of new medical evidence, and the RO is instructed to consider this evidence in its review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, hypertension, sleep apnea, and idiopathic hypersomnia (claimed as narcolepsy) secondary to his service-connected asbestosis. The VA is instructed to obtain all outstanding records and provide addendum opinions addressing the etiology of each condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for asthma, COPD, acquired pneumonia, and squamous cell carcinoma due to exposure to radiation, mustard gas, and other toxic agents. The VA is required to obtain a VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for rheumatoid arthritis, left hip disability (claimed as left hip replacement), pulmonary disability (COPD), Raynaud's disease, skin cancer, and neuropathy of the lower extremities due to potential service connection based on herbicide exposure. The claims are being remanded for further development including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's COPD and asthma, including incomplete service treatment records. The Veteran will need a VA examination to determine if her current respiratory conditions are related to her military service.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's COPD is related to his exposure to airborne contaminants in service. As a result of resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, he is now entitled to service connection for COPD.

The Veteran's COPD is being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for an opinion on whether it was aggravated by his service-connected lung cancer or caused by herbicide exposure.