COPD Board decisions

The Board has found that additional development is needed for the service connection claims, including obtaining outstanding records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an eye disorder, a respiratory disability, and the cause of the Veteran's death due to additional development being required.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding hypertension, migraines, short term memory loss, and a rating in excess of 30 percent for actinic keratosis. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) was granted with a 30% rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sarcoidosis has been reopened due to new and material evidence. The appeal is granted to that extent, but the claims for COPD and sarcoidosis are remanded as there is insufficient competent medical evidence to make a fully-informed decision.

The appeal on most of the issues has been withdrawn and is dismissed. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, upper extremities, hypertension, gout, asthma, COPD, and right ankle disability have been granted. The remaining issues are remanded.

Service connection for a bilateral ankle disorder, lung disorder, and scars of the forearm and ankles is denied.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depression) is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis and COPD are being remanded for further evaluation due to worsening symptoms since the last examination in October 2011.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange during service in Thailand, which could impact his cause of death.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for COPD and a psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The COPD claim is related to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in service, while the PTSD claim requires further examination due to conflicting diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a back disorder and respiratory disorder due to in-service exposure, as new evidence was received. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his current conditions based on in-service injuries.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical disorder, headaches, left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and a respiratory disorder (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, and emphysema) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,Service connection was not granted as the Veteran did not have a current disability that began during or was otherwise related to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, including psoriatic arthritis, osteoporosis, COPD, vasculitis, and peripheral neuropathy. The claims for service connection will be remanded.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and the claim for burial benefits is denied as there was no pending claim for VA compensation at the time of his death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C has been reopened. The claims for hypertension and COPD have not been reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. Service connection for lung cancer is denied as the condition did not manifest within one year post-service. Effective dates are granted for major depressive disorder, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's COPD with asbestosis is rated at 100% effective September 13, 2010. Prior to that date, the rating was 10%. The VA granted SMC from August 30, 2013.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not found to be related to service.,His lumbar spine disorder, left shoulder disorder, cardiomyopathy, hair loss, headache disorder, and COPD were also not found to be related to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss are granted. The claim for COPD is remanded as the VA has not provided an examination to determine its cause.

The Veteran's respiratory disabilities, including asthma and COPD, have been rated at a 60 percent disability rating for the period prior to November 10, 2014. A TDIU has also been granted for this period.

The Board denied service connection for COPD and plantar fasciitis, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining deck logs and verifying his alleged asbestos exposure. The Veteran is also entitled to VA examinations to assess his lung disability, gastric disability, liver disability, erectile dysfunction, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, and diabetic neuropathy.