COPD Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA medical opinions and new evidence presented by the appellant. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, bronchitis, and emphysema due to further development of his VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence linking her current disabilities to service. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine if her OSA, COPD, bilateral restless leg syndrome, and PTSD are related to service.

The Board has determined that no additional equipment purchases or home modifications are necessary for the Veteran's independent living plan, as previous programs have provided for the minimum property requirements and other necessary features.

The Board has denied service connection for leukemia and remanded the issue of COPD. The decision on leukemia is based on a lack of evidence linking the condition to service, including exposure to asbestos and carbon tetrachloride. For COPD, an additional medical opinion is needed regarding the relationship with conceded exposures.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between Agent Orange exposure and the Veteran's chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, as well as whether any diagnosed heart disorder was related to service or aggravated by the lung condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bronchial asthma, COPD, and bronchitis is reopened. The case is remanded to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, hypertensive vascular disease, COPD, and GERD with Barrett’s esophagus due to his claimed in-service exposure to asbestos and/or lead. The case is being returned for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for carcinoma of the lung. The remaining issue, service connection for a respiratory disorder other than carcinoma of the lung (COPD and interstitial lung disease), is remanded due to the need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened, and the Board has granted service connection for a chronic respiratory condition including COPD, bronchitis, and residuals of pneumonia.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of service connection for a respiratory condition, including as due to herbicide exposure. The claim will be reconsidered based on new evidence and an updated VA examination.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the rating for lung cancer from 100% to noncompensable was proper. The issue of a compensable rating for lung cancer residuals is remanded due to new evidence indicating recurrence of the condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for cervical spine disability was denied, as the evidence did not show forward flexion of the cervical spine to 15 degrees or less at any point during the appeal period.,The Veteran's COPD was rated noncompensably disabling prior to May 3, 2017, and 10 percent thereafter. The Board found no basis for an increased rating.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that COPD was not related to service and that there is no evidence linking any cancer diagnoses to exposure to ionizing radiation in service.

The Veteran's application to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been granted. The claims for service connection for myositis, cervical strain (neck disability), spinal stenosis, left knee degenerative arthritis, right knee degenerative arthritis, sinusitis, COPD, edema, GERD, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and nerve disability, an acquired psychiatric disability, and bronchitis have all been denied.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence, as the submitted evidence was not relevant or new.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his claims of COPD, emphysema, and asbestosis. The Board finds that a VA examination is needed to clarify the nature and etiology of these conditions.

Service connection for congestive heart failure (CHF) is granted as it is proximately due to service-connected diabetes mellitus, Type II.,Service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and erectile dysfunction (ED) are both remanded for further review.

The Board has denied service connection for COPD, sleep apnea, acid reflux/GERD, arthritis (including cervical spine and lumbar spine), and joint pain (including right shoulder, right elbow, bilateral hand disorder, and bilateral hip disorder) as these conditions are not related to active service or events therein.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of COPD, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his active service.