COPD Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied.,The Veteran’s claims for service connection for a back disability, heart disability, high blood pressure, gastrointestinal disability (claimed as diarrhea), acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as anxiety, depression, and PTSD), respiratory disability (claimed as breathing problems) to include COPD, left upper quadrant curvilinear calcification (claimed as aortic aneurysm), and enlarged prostate have been remanded for further development.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease warrants a 100 percent rating for the period from September 9, 1996 to September 8, 1997. For the remaining periods, his disability does not warrant an initial rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his COPD, CAD, and dementia were not related to in-service asbestos exposure.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen claims for service connection of various conditions, but the cases are remanded for further development.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for COPD and GERD, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable error in the May 1995 rating decision.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for spinal disease, COPD, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and strokes due to incomplete records. A VA examination is required to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for right foot disability, bilateral hearing loss, lung disability, heart disability, and PVD. The Board found that the current disabilities are not related to service or in-service exposure to jet engine fuel.

The Board dismissed the appeals of service connection claims for heart disorder, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and sepsis. The right knee disability, COPD, and bilateral hearing loss were granted as incurred in active service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee conditions, diabetes mellitus, and COPD due to herbicide exposure in Guam. The Veteran's claims were not supported by the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma and COPD, as well as chronic headaches, have been reopened. The evidence now supports the possibility that these conditions may be related to his military service in the Persian Gulf War.

The Veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, as he is able to perform his daily activities independently.

The Veteran's skin cancer and COPD are granted service connection. The effective dates for IBS, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity are denied.,Service connection is granted for sleep apnea and a right knee disability.

The claim of service connection for COPD is reopened and remanded due to new evidence received since the last denial.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, hypertension, COPD, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and erectile dysfunction) precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment during the period from January 12, 2007 through July 22, 2009. As a result, he was granted a TDIU for this period.

The Veteran's death was caused by asbestosis, COPD, and lung cancer. The Board has granted service connection for the cause of his death based on direct evidence.

The Veteran's respiratory disorders, including COPD and interstitial lung disease, are being remanded for further development as the claim is related to service. The cause of death due to carcinoma of the lung with contributory peripheral vascular disease has been granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for COPD, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his COPD and either in-service exposure or his service-connected PTSD. The COPD is considered to be due to smoking.

The Board has remanded the claims for COPD, PTSD, and CAD due to insufficient evidence or further evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, finding that it is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected arthritis.

The Veteran's initial rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) was granted at a 60% level, but not greater. The appeal is remanded for further evaluation of cervical spine and low back disabilities, COPD, sleep apnea, and hypertension.,An earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for hypertension is also being remanded due to new evidence.