COPD Board decisions

The Veteran's death was not caused by his military service, including exposure to herbicides. The cause of death listed on the official certificate was pneumonia, secondary to lung cancer and acute renal failure, with COPD contributing significantly.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea due to additional development being required.

The Board has granted service connection for a lung disorder, manifested by emphysema and COPD, due to chemical exposures during military service. The decision is based on the Veteran's testimony of exposure to chemicals like Difluoromethane, Carbon Tetoride, Trichloroethylene, and asbestos.

The Board denied service connection for COPD and hypertension, finding no evidence of a relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.,Nonservice-connected pension was also denied due to income exceeding the maximum annual pension rate.

The Veteran's medical expenses incurred at Englewood Community Hospital on December 20, 2014 for an acute exacerbation of COPD were granted as the condition was considered a medical emergency and no VA facility was feasibly available.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding service connection for COPD and AML. The Veteran's exposure to burn pits is acknowledged, but a new medical opinion is needed to determine if his COPD and AML are related to this exposure.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of COPD before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and evidence are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, a skin condition, and left carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board is unable to determine the exact amount of last illness expenses for the surviving spouse due to insufficient information, and thus, the case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's lung condition, including whether it is related to fire pit exposure or asbestos exposure.

The Board denied service connection for COPD as there is no probative medical opinion linking the Veteran's current COPD to service or his service-connected asthma.

The Veteran's Barrett's metaplasia is denied as it was not shown to be related to service, including herbicide exposure.,Service connection for a lung disorder (including COPD, asthma, and a nodule in the right lower lung) is remanded due to incomplete development of evidence regarding asbestos exposure during military service.,Service connection for a heart disorder (including coronary artery disease, other ischemic heart disease, hypertensive heart disease, and valve abnormalities) is remanded due to incomplete development of evidence regarding herbicide agent exposure during military service.,Service connection for hypertension is remanded due to incomplete development of evidence regarding PTSD as the potential cause or aggravation.

The Board has remanded the case for a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's PTSD caused or contributed to his rib injuries in 2001, which may have aggravated his COPD and led to his death.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's exposure to asbestos and ionizing radiation, as well as the presence of pleural plaque. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral elbow disability, COPD, and emphysema. The effective dates for granting service connection for left knee and left ankle disabilities were not granted earlier than May 3, 2016. The rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy was also denied.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and therefore his widow cannot establish service connection for the cause of her husband's death.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus. Service connection is denied for right and left knee disabilities, as well as COPD.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's pulmonary condition is related to his service, specifically his exposure to asbestos while serving as a Torpedoman aboard the USS Forrest B. Royal.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of medical expenses at John D. Archbold Memorial Medical Center is remanded due to the need for additional treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and bowel obstruction, as these conditions are presumed related to herbicide agent exposure during his military service.