COPD Board decisions

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claim for an asbestos-related lung condition should be remanded due to insufficient evidence. The VA examiner needs to review the Veteran's medical records and determine if his diagnosed conditions are related to his in-service exposure to asbestos.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a link between his current condition and his in-service lung collapse or exposure to chemicals.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for pulmonary fibrosis, COPD, and pulmonary nodule to include as due to exposure to asbestos because there is no evidence that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's COPD is related to his service, including potential asbestos exposure during his first period of active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and his military service or herbicide exposure. The Board also noted that the Veteran's COPD is related to tobacco use.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The claims for peritoneal mesothelioma, pleural mesothelioma, asbestosis scarring, and COPD are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and sleep apnea with mild intermittent asthma have been rated at 100 percent since February 20, 2014. As a result, the claim for Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is now moot.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, kidney disability, and COPD. The evidence did not support the Veteran's claims that these conditions were related to his military service.,Service connection was not granted because there was no medical evidence showing a link between any of the disabilities and the Veteran's time in active duty.

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

The Board has decided that the Veteran's OSA is related to his service-connected CAD or COPD, and remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for ischemic heart disease, tinnitus, COPD, emphysema, sleep apnea, hypertension, skin condition, headaches, memory loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The appeals are now pending with VA for further review.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for COPD has been dismissed because the Veteran and his representative withdrew their appeal.

The Veteran's cause of death was due to end stage COPD, which the VA examiner opined was caused by his service-connected PTSD. The Board found that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran’s PTSD contributed substantially or materially to the cause of his death and granted the claim for service connection for cause of death.

The Board has decided that the reduction of the evaluation for COPD from 100 percent to 60 percent was improper and has ordered a remand for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including lower back condition, left leg condition, left knee condition, bilateral hips conditions, bilateral ankle conditions, bilateral foot conditions, anxiety, depression, COPD, headaches, and loss of right kidney are denied.,Right knee and right leg conditions are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board dismissed the claim of service connection for congestive heart failure with cardiomyopathy. The issue of service connection for COPD is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD (also claimed as emphysema) is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and development of records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to burning fumes and asbestos, as well as the relationship between his COPD and service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and OSA, as these conditions may be related to his military service or service-connected disabilities.