COPD Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is at least as likely as not related to his military service, and therefore grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's surviving spouse was denied death pension benefits due to her income exceeding the maximum annual pension rates set by law.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service treatment records and a need for an examination to determine if any of the Veteran's pulmonary conditions are related to his in-service exposure to exhaust fumes or coal smoke. The Veteran needs to provide authorization for VA to obtain private medical records, and he should be scheduled for a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, and Skin Disorder of the Feet due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lung disability, which includes asthma and COPD, is being remanded due to the need for updated medical records and a new VA examination.

The Board has denied service connection for COPD and remanded the issue of an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his claims of pleural plaques, COPD, and SMC based on aid and attendance.

The Board denied service connection for COPD as there is no evidence linking the condition to service, and the Veteran's smoking habit was not related to military use of tobacco products.

The Board denied service connection for thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease and COPD, finding that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for these conditions based on his service records and medical history. The effective date of service connection for thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease was set at December 3, 2009.

The Board has remanded the appellant's claims due to incomplete verification of his periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty training (INACDUTRA). The case is returned to the AOJ for further consideration, including obtaining a new VA examination following completion of the verification process.

The Veteran's pneumonia with COPD has been rated at 30 percent since May 4, 2010. The VA determined that the evidence does not support an increase to a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lung condition, diagnosed as COPD with emphysema, is related to his active duty service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic obstructive pulmonary disease has been rated at a 60 percent disability evaluation, which is the highest rating available under VA regulations for this condition.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a chest disability. The claims for service connection for COPD, sleep apnea, hepatitis C, depression, loss of balance, sinusitis, upper extremity numbness, chest numbness, and increased ratings for a ventral hernia and surgical scar are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's respiratory disorder, including his claimed asbestosis. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to clarify if he has asbestosis and determine its relationship to service.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for additional records from the Social Security Administration (SSA). The Veteran's pension claim is denied as he did not serve during a period of war.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased initial evaluation for service-connected bilateral tinnitus is denied.,All other issues are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and COPD due to insufficient evidence in the record. Further examination is needed.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration of new evidence, including a VA expert's opinion and the Veteran's recent argument.