COPD Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma is granted, and the issue of aggravation of COPD/asthma by his service-connected PTSD and/or gastritis with GERD is remanded.

The Veteran's lung disability, including COPD and asbestosis, is being remanded for further development to ensure a complete record.

The Veteran's COPD is found to be related to his service, including exposure to vehicle exhaust and pneumonia in service. Service connection for COPD is granted.

The Veteran's panic disorder is granted as service connected. Lung, skin, and heat stroke claims are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not related to his service, as he did not have a hearing loss disability at separation and there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure. The Board finds the weight of probative evidence against a finding that the current hearing loss is related to service.,The Veteran's COPD with emphysema is not related to his service or Agent Orange exposure, as he did not have any respiratory condition other than COPD at separation and there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The Board finds the weight of probative evidence against a finding that the current COPD is related to service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate VA examinations and missing records. The Veteran's left foot hallux valgus, lung disability (COPD and chronic bronchitis), and coronary artery disease ratings need further development.

The Board denied service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, COPD, and small cell lung cancer as the evidence did not support a causal nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease due to inadequate etiology opinions in the VA examinations. The Veteran's current diagnoses are being evaluated, along with his reported in-service exposures.

Service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, increased ratings for headaches and hearing loss, and service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, type II are dismissed.,The petition to reopen the claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is granted. Service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, type II are also granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides during service in Thailand.

The Veteran's mild osteoarthritis of the left knee is granted as service connected.,Service connection for COPD is denied. The Board found that the Veteran's COPD was not related to her military service.,The Eustachian Tube Dysfunction (ETD) is remanded to determine if it was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's lung cancer residuals were reduced from a 100% rating to a 60% rating, but the Board restored the 100% rating effective February 1, 2016.

The Veteran's bladder disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease.,Service connection for headache disability was denied due to lack of current evidence and no identified underlying condition.

The Veteran's COPD is granted as service connected. The claims for IBS and an acquired psychiatric disability are denied.

The Veteran's respiratory disorders, including COPD and obstructive sleep apnea, are not service-connected as they are due to her long-term smoking habit rather than any in-service exposure or injury.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since March 7, 2012. The Board found that the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran’s PTSD caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas of his life.

The appeals for the veteran's claims of service connection for degenerative disc disease, emphysema, COPD, ruptured spleen, and sciatica have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses is remanded due to unclear details about the medications and other health care coverage.

The Board denied service connection for ischemic heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, finding no current evidence of these conditions. The COPD claim is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's adenocarcinoma of the left lung, status post upper lobectomy with COPD and scar is rated at a 10 percent disability rating.

The Board has denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claims of service connection for COPD, chronic atrial fibrillation (claimed as associated with CAD), and an increased rating for CAD. Additional evidence is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service or if they have worsened.