COPD Board decisions

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative joint disease and lumbar degenerative joint disease are denied as there is no evidence of a nexus to service.,The Veteran's chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and erectile dysfunction are denied as the conditions did not manifest within one year after service or are not related to service.

The Veteran's tinnitus began in basic training and has been ongoing since then. Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Coronary artery disease, Barrett's esophagus, and diabetes mellitus type II are remanded due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or exposure to Camp Lejeune contaminated water.,A hiatal hernia is remanded as the Veteran contends it preexisted service and was aggravated by an assault during basic training. Service connection for asthma or COPD, related to asbestos exposure, is also remanded.,The Veteran's knee disorder is remanded due to his in-service specialty of wireman which may have contributed to the condition. Service connection for a bilateral knee disorder is also remanded.,Service connection for asthma and COPD are remanded as the Veteran contends these conditions began during service or were aggravated by exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's service connection claims for COPD, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated as zero percent, and the claim for service connection of bronchiectasis (claimed as COPD) is remanded due to insufficient evidence in the VA examination.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased evaluation of various conditions have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's respiratory disabilities are being remanded for further examination to determine if they are related to his service, specifically his exposure to asbestos and trichloroethylene.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory condition, including exertional dyspnea, COPD, and asthma, is related to service. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of various conditions including left shoulder, right shoulder, left hand, right hand, right hip, left knee, right knee, left ankle, right ankle, and bilateral lower extremities. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened, and the Board finds new and material evidence to support his claims. However, further development is needed due to unresolved issues related to exposure in Vietnam and other medical conditions.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to issues with the effective date of his increased PTSD rating, service connection for various conditions, and other disability ratings. The RO will need to correct these errors and provide a statement of the case on the earlier effective date issue.

The Board has remanded several claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining audiometric test results and determining whether the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during service.,The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) is also being remanded for further examination.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for a respiratory disorder to include as due to asbestos exposure, but has remanded it for further development and an examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and lack of relevant VA treatment records. The issues include back, neck, asthma, COPD, sleep apnea, and cephalgia disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence received, but did not make a final determination on whether service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA opinion regarding whether any of the conditions causing or contributing to the Veteran's death were related to service.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions are inadequate for the claims of hearing loss, tinnitus, and respiratory disability. The Veteran's service connection claims will be remanded to allow for further development.

The Board denied the reopening of a claim for service connection for COPD, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted to support the claim.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development regarding service connection, including determining if the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his military service and whether he has a pulmonary disability related to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection, particularly in relation to exposure to Agent Orange for prostate cancer.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and OSA have been reopened, but the claims for back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension remain denied.,Service connection has been granted for depressive disorder as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.