COPD Board decisions

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of pneumonia, recurrent pneumothoraces, COPD with emphysema, and scarring, fibrosis, or interstitial change on chest X-ray. The Board found no evidence to support a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's in-service exposure to asbestos or resolved pneumonia.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for COPD as it is insufficiently addressed in the July 2017 VA examination. A new examination is needed that adequately addresses all pertinent evidence, including medical articles submitted by the Veteran and his lay statements.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause of the Veteran's death, specifically whether his COPD and pneumonia are related to service or if his lung cancer contributed to his death.

The Veteran's COPD with pleural lung disease was rated at 60 percent prior to August 1, 2014. Beginning on or after August 1, 2014, the Veteran is now rated at 100 percent for this condition.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for respiratory disability, seizure disability, heart disability, and whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for diabetes mellitus. The appeal as to the reopening of an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II is found to be the primary cause of his hypertension. The Board has granted service connection for hypertension on a secondary basis.

The Veteran has elected to withdraw his appeals for various service connection claims, including those related to lung disorders, TBI, headaches, eye and teeth disorders, back issues, ankle and foot problems, and hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's service connection claims for plantar fasciitis of both feet, a low back disability, conjunctivitis, laryngitis, COPD, headaches, and a dental condition due to new evidence received after the last decision.

The Board has denied service connection for a lung disability, including COPD and asthma. The decision also remanded the issue of service connection for syncopic episodes and blackouts.

The Board denied service connection for insomnia as secondary to service-connected headaches or traumatic brain injury, and denied service connection for COPD. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of insomnia, and the VA examiner determined that it is less likely than not that COPD was incurred in or caused by exposure to lead-based paint during service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for emphysema, COPD, asbestosis, and mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure. The Veteran was exposed to asbestos during his military service and had in-service treatment for respiratory disorders.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the left shoulder condition, bilateral hearing loss, pulmonary problems (claimed as COPD), cognitive disorder, and headaches. The appeal for PTSD was also withdrawn in its entirety.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected.,His chloracne behind the ears, presumed due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam, is also granted as service-connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current diagnosis and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened and granted. The claims for back disability, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, nerve conditions of the upper and lower extremities, left knee disability, lung condition (COPD), and skin condition have not been reopened.,Service connection was denied for a back disability, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, nerve conditions of the upper and lower extremities, left knee disability, COPD, and skin condition. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional records, as there is insufficient evidence on whether the Veteran's COPD is related to service exposure to asbestos.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his service connection claims for hypertension, a bilateral elbow disability (claimed as pain and rashes), and COPD. However, these claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The appeal is being remanded for additional development of records and a VA medical opinion to address the theories of compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 based on the Veteran’s death and service connection.

The appeal for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is dismissed because the Appellant withdrew her appeal prior to a decision being made. The issue of service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death remains and will be remanded.