COPD Board decisions

The Veteran's application to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for asthmatic bronchitis is granted. The Board finds that a remand is required due to the lack of VA examination and opinion addressing whether the Veteran's pre-existing asthma was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, coronary artery disease (now claimed as ischemic heart disease), Parkinson’s disease, constipation, difficulty chewing/swallowing, loss of automatic movement, loss of sense of smell, sexual dysfunction, speech impairment, stooped posture, tremors, muscle rigidity, and stiffness of the extremities have been granted. The effective dates for these grants vary based on when the claims were filed or when entitlement arose.

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient information about the Veteran's separation from service and needs clarification of the codes used in his DD-214. The AOJ must also obtain his complete service personnel records for further investigation.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions were denied as the evidence did not show a relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service. The Board noted that while he had been exposed to asbestos in service, this exposure did not cause his COPD.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disability and thyroid disability, finding that the conditions are not related to service or exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's COPD is found to be related to asbestos exposure during active duty, and service connection for COPD is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for asthma and COPD, finding that the Veteran's current respiratory disorders are related to his in-service exposure to cadmium.

The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus type II is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides during service. The appeal is also granted for other conditions, including coccyx disability and peripheral neuropathy secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied service connection for COPD with asthma, finding that the evidence did not support a link to active service or presumed exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability, COPD, and PTSD. The Board found that there was no credible evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current COPD and pleural disease with pleural airthickening and plaques are related to his in-service asbestos exposure, resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for sleep apnea, increased rating for right knee disability, and increased rating for COPD have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals in writing.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development due to inadequate examination reports and exposure history.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to provide the Veteran with a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any currently diagnosed respiratory condition, including COPD.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and he did not have any pending claims for benefits at the time of his death. Therefore, DIC, death pension, and accrued benefits were denied.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee condition and a pulmonary condition including COPD, claiming as chronic cough. The Veteran's left knee arthritis was not shown to be chronic in service or within the applicable presumptive period, did not manifest to a compensable degree within a presumptive period, and was not noted in service with attributable continuity of symptomatology.,The Board denied service connection for a pulmonary condition including COPD, claiming as chronic cough. The Veteran's current pulmonary condition was diagnosed many years after service and is less likely related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD, finding that the Veteran's psychiatric disability aggravated his COPD.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA medical opinion to determine if service-connected conditions contributed to the Veteran's death, and whether any of these conditions were related to his active service.

The Veteran's prostate condition, ischemic heart disease (IHD), diabetes mellitus, COPD, and bilateral eye condition are being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.