COPD Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The remaining issues are related to back injury residuals, COPD, erectile dysfunction, chloracne, skin cancer, and neuropathies of the hands and extremities.

The Veteran's cause of death was listed as non-ischemic cardiomyopathy, with diabetes mellitus contributing to the cause. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an opinion regarding whether the Veteran’s service-connected diabetes mellitus contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The Veteran's asbestosis is granted service connection, but his COPD and emphysema are denied service connection. The Board found that the Veteran has current asbestosis related to in-service asbestos exposure, but not COPD or emphysema.

The appeals for service connection of a back disorder, COPD, and increased ratings for chronic prostatitis have been dismissed. The abdominal disorder and precancerous lesions are denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to asbestos, lead paint and other chemicals during service. The Veteran will need to provide VA treatment records and complete a VA Form 21-4142 for all private treatment providers for his claimed respiratory condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, sleep apnea, and dental disability (broken teeth) were denied. The rating reduction from 20 percent to 10 percent for right shoulder strain with tendonitis and degenerative joint disease was granted. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD, major depressive disorder, and alcohol abuse is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, Asthma, and Chronic Bronchitis as they are not related to service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has denied service connection for right wrist disorder, unhealed left eye injury, unhealed right eye injury, COPD, and broken jaw residuals as these conditions are not shown to be related to active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected asbestosis has been rated at 30 percent, which is the highest initial rating available under VA regulations. The decision also notes that his COPD is not service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, including as due to undiagnosed illness, is denied. The issue of entitlement to service connection for hiatal hernia is remanded.

The appeal for asthma is dismissed. The COPD claim has been remanded.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than January 23, 2013 for the grants of service connection for PTSD, tinnitus, residuals of a right foot injury (claimed as residuals of a right foot fracture), and chronic diarrhea (claimed as IBS) have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for CFS has been denied.

The Veteran's lung cancer residuals and COPD are being remanded for further evaluation due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for updated treatment records. The issues of SMC at the housebound rate, TDIU, and whether the reduction in disability rating was proper are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type II, and special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance have been dismissed.,Service connection was denied for a lumbar spine disability, COPD, and anxiety disorder with dysthymic disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for higher initial ratings for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for various conditions related to presumed herbicide exposure during service is remanded due to insufficient evidence or further clarification of the claims.

The Board denied service connection for hypercholesterolemia and remanded the issue of service connection for COPD secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of various respiratory/pulmonary conditions, including COPD, emphysema, obstructive sleep apnea, pulmonary embolism, pulmonary hypertension, asthma/bronchial asthma, and allergic rhinitis. The VA is instructed to obtain an addendum opinion from a pulmonologist regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lung disorder, basal cell carcinoma, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) due to exposure to herbicide agents and/or asbestos. The Veteran will be provided with VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the effective dates for awards of service connection were not granted earlier than specified.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.