COPD Board decisions

Service connection for COPD is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied due to lack of current disability.,Service connection for an unspecified mood disorder with a substance abuse disorder (claimed as an acquired mental disorder) is remanded.

The Veteran's need for aid and attendance or housebound status was not established due to his service-connected disabilities, as the majority of his physical limitations were caused by nonservice-connected conditions. The Board found that SMC is not warranted based on either the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, finding that there is no evidence linking any diagnosed respiratory disorder to active duty service or in-service exposure to asbestos.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical records and a need for an opinion regarding the Veteran's cause of death. The Appellant is seeking service connection for cause of death, but there are no private or VA treatment records available. Additionally, verification of in-service herbicide exposure is needed.

The Board denied service connection for a gastric disorder and respiratory disorder, as well as an initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD. The Veteran's TDIU was granted but only up to December 14, 2015, and SMC at the housebound rate was granted effective March 9, 2016.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that COPD was not related to military service and thus not service-connected.

The Veteran's initial rating for tinnitus was denied, and his COPD was granted with staged ratings. The issue of hearing loss is remanded, and the TDIU claim is deferred.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, so the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's son, J.R., was found to be permanently incapable of self-support prior to the age of 18 due to various disabilities including learning disability, severe dyslexia, visual disorder, COPD with bronchial asthma attacks, and anxiety. The Board granted recognition as a helpless child.

The Board denied service connection for COPD and heart disease claimed as atrial fibrillation (AFIB) due to exposure to DDT, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, COPD, CAD, and hypertension due to outstanding medical records not being obtained.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disability, finding that the Veteran's COPD is not related to his in-service asbestos exposure.

The Board has found that the Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, COPD and emphysema, and lower back degenerative disc disease should be remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board denied service connection for asthma and COPD, finding that the evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and active service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss of the right ear has been denied as there is no evidence showing a current disability.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss has also been denied due to lack of evidence demonstrating a current disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's COPD, including his claimed asbestos exposure. The case is being remanded for further action.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for COPD was reopened and granted, effective December 17, 2013.,An earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy is denied.,A TDIU is granted.,The Veteran’s lumbar spine disability remains rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted in part. Service connection has been established for left shoulder condition, cervical spine condition (claimed as cervical spondylosis and stenosis), lumbar spinal stenosis, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, peripheral vestibular disorder, dizziness, obstructive sleep apnea, cardiovascular disease, headache condition, left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, and service connection has been reopened for alcoholism and drug abuse. Other claims have been denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, an initial compensable rating for bilateral ear hearing loss, and an initial compensable rating for residuals of prostate cancer.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with the February 2017 decision, including inadequate definition of the scope of the Veteran's claim and failure to address certain aspects such as smoking history and service exposure. The Court also found that the VA opinions were not adequate.