COPD Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, heart disability secondary to COPD, and pulmonary hypertension are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of his exposure history.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, respiratory disorder to include COPD, asthma and pneumonia, thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease with intervertebral disc syndrome, and right lower extremity radiculopathy are denied. The case is remanded for further development.

The appeal for service connection of a right knee disability and COPD associated with asbestos exposure is dismissed. Service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, respiratory disability, bilateral pes planus, hypertension, and acquired psychiatric disability due to incomplete records and the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's breathing condition, including sleep apnea and COPD, is remanded for a new medical opinion to determine if these conditions are related to his service in Southwest Asia.

The Board has decided that more evidence is needed to determine if the Veteran's COPD was caused by asbestos exposure during service, and thus remands the case for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 50% rating, effective July 20, 2016. The claim for service connection of the respiratory disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his service-connected conditions, as well as his claims of exposure to chemicals during service. The appeals are also remanded for obtaining updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed as withdrawn or moot. The motion alleging clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the November 1971 rating decision has been granted, resulting in an effective date of June 18, 1971, for the grant of service connection for post-operative residual scarring associated with lung biopsy.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a right shoulder disorder, respiratory disorder, and right elbow disability due to additional evidence being needed. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his right shoulder disorder as secondary to his right elbow disability and for his respiratory disorder allegedly caused by asbestos exposure during service. He also seeks an increased rating for his right elbow disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for emphysema, COPD, and hypertension have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The Board has granted these claims.,Service connection is also granted for sleep apnea as secondary to a service-connected mood disorder, and Barrett’s esophagus is denied.

The Veteran's service connection for residuals of a stroke is granted. Ratings are granted for instability and arthritis in the right knee, as well as increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran also receives TDIU benefits.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including hip disabilities and psychiatric disorders, have been reopened. The cases are remanded to determine the appropriate service connection based on new evidence.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for left ear hearing loss and increased evaluations for diabetes mellitus. The claim of service connection for erectile dysfunction is granted, but only as secondary to diabetes mellitus and/or PTSD.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his active military service.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for COPD and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss remains on appeal. The RO has assigned a 10 percent rating effective June 17, 2015 for the Veteran’s bilateral hearing loss.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for a respiratory disability including COPD secondary to asbestos exposure is remanded as he has not been afforded a VA examination in this regard.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a skin disorder, including as due to exposure to herbicides, is dismissed. The Board also denied the claim of service connection for COPD, including as due to exposure to herbicides.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inconsistencies in medical findings regarding the level of COPD prior to May 20, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected COPD is being remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and clarification of his respiratory diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and need for further medical opinions regarding service connection, TDIU, and cause of death. The Veteran's radiculopathy is presumed secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. Cause of death may be related to COPD or psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a respiratory condition, including lung scarring, asthma, and COPD, due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The case will be reviewed with updated treatment records and a new examination.