COPD Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for COPD has been dismissed because the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal before a decision was made.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims for service connection, including muscle pain, COPD, positive PPD test results, and sleep apnea. The reasons for remanding these cases are not provided in the decision.

The Board has granted service connection for gouty arthritis of both feet. The case is being remanded to address the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee arthritis, COPD, sleep apnea, and ratings in excess of 10 percent for right and left foot gout.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for COPD and sarcoidosis, finding that his current diagnoses are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his claims.

The Veteran's cause of death was listed as COPD exacerbation, with diabetes mellitus type II and renal insufficiency also contributing. The Board has requested additional records to determine if the diabetes contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's COPD and its relation to service. The Veteran will need to complete an asbestos exposure questionnaire, and a VA examination will be scheduled for him.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and a gastrointestinal disorder due to insufficient evidence in the record. The Veteran asserts that his current conditions are related to his active duty service, particularly exposure to asbestos and other hazardous particles.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that COPD, OSA, and hypoxemia were not causally or etiologically related to active service, including in-service herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that further medical evaluation and opinion are needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including back disability, bilateral hearing loss, respiratory condition (COPD), and migraine headaches. The claims are being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, asbestosis, and COPD have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. Service connection has not been established for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's asthma, COPD, and bronchitis are at least as likely as not the result of chemical exposure during active service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for diffuse pleural airthickening due to asbestos exposure during service, but denied his claim for COPD as it did not manifest in service and is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's previously denied service connection claims for a chronic respiratory disorder, skin disorders, left knee strain, sleep disorder, gastrointestinal distress, fatigue, and muscular and joint pain are all granted. The appeals have been remanded for additional medical opinions on the relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's COPD and the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for asbestos related pleural calcifications and plaques is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess his current level of severity, including any relationship between his mild COPD and service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, with the Board finding that it is at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure.,Service connection for a respiratory condition (COPD) is denied. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the COPD began during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected bronchial asthma and COPD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chest infections, COPD, and emphysema has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. However, additional development is required as the VA examiner's opinions were inadequate.

The Veteran's asbestosis is rated at 60 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board also denied his claim for TDIU prior to March 29, 2016.