COPD Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, and a higher disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD. The decision found that there was no evidence linking the Veteran’s current conditions to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disability, including asthma, COPD, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, finding that the Veteran did not have a current respiratory disability related to his service.

The Veteran's RLE radiculopathy is now rated at 20 percent effective from February 15, 2018. Other conditions remain unchanged.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as related to service due to noise exposure.,Bilateral knee osteoarthritis is also granted, with the condition being linked to military service.

The Board denied service connection for fibromyalgia, scoliosis, CFS, COPD, and asthma. The claims for scoliosis, CFS, and COPD were withdrawn by the Veteran during a hearing.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a VA medical opinion regarding whether COPD, which was diagnosed after service and is severe from its onset, may be related to Agent Orange exposure during service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal. The claims for increase and service connection remain in appellate status.

The Board has denied service connection for COPD and prostate cancer, finding no evidence of a link to military service. The case is remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's exposure to toxic herbicides.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including schizophrenia), a back condition, and a respiratory condition to include COPD. The claim for PTSD remains denied due to lack of evidence of an in-service stressor. Service connection for hepatitis C was not addressed as it is unrelated to the other claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have an additional disability of left leg clot due to VA treatment in July 2007, and thus denied his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for COPD and CAD, as secondary to COPD; for service connection for malignant neoplasms (claimed as colon cancer), to include as due to radiation exposure; and for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has expanded the scope of your claim to include consideration of any respiratory disability, including COPD. Your service connection for a respiratory disability is being remanded due to lack of an examination and need for medical opinion regarding its etiology.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including arthritis of the shoulders, elbows, hands, neck, back, hips, COPD, sleep apnea, and hypertension, have been denied as there is no competent evidence that any such disability may be etiologically related to his service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and Type II Diabetes Mellitus, as both conditions are claimed to be related to his PTSD. The VA will seek additional information from the Veteran regarding potential in-service exposures and provide an addendum opinion addressing the theories of entitlement.

The Board has determined that the VA examination is not adequate and that additional evidence is needed to determine if the Veteran's COPD is related to his military service, including exposure to wood dust. The case is being remanded for further action.

The Veteran's PTSD and COPD claims have been denied as the evidence does not support higher disability ratings.

The Board denied service connection for COPD and coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Appellant's claim of entitlement to service connection for the cause of death for purposes of receiving DIC. The Veteran died in November 2008 due to COPD and respiratory failure, but VA medical records do not provide sufficient information on his exposure to asbestos or smoking history.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for multiple myeloma was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,The claim of service connection for a respiratory condition (including asthma, COPD and sleep apnea) is denied because new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim.,The claim of service connection for peripheral neuropathy is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine its etiology.,The claim of service connection for hypertension is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine its etiology and consideration of herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for COPD and sleep apnea are remanded due to inadequate opinions in previous examinations.