COPD Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and right knee disability. The claim for acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, is remanded due to insufficient evidence.,Service connection for heart disability, respiratory disease (COPD), cervical spine and thoracic spine disability, right wrist disability, and bilateral ankle disability remains pending.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, IBS, and GERD are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and new theories of entitlement raised at his hearing. The issues regarding hypertension and SMC based on aid and attendance/housebound rate are also remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected, with the decision based on continuity of symptomatology since service.,Service connection for COPD and residuals of pneumonia are granted due to evidence suggesting a link between these conditions and in-service events.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic lung disease, including COPD and emphysema, finding that his current respiratory disability is more likely due to smoking rather than in-service exposure to fuel or asbestos.

The Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability, and there is no evidence that VA treatment caused his death.,VA denied both the DIC claim based on service connection for cause of death and the 38 U.S.C. § 1151 claim.

The Board has granted service connection for a left lower extremity nerve disorder, including neuropathy and radiculopathy. The claim for respiratory disorder (COPD) is denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or relationship to service. Cold injury residuals are also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records, including missing service treatment records (STRs), and a need for medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and his cause of death.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence suggesting possible restrictive lung disease and conflicting opinions on COPD service connection.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and medical opinions are needed to properly assess the Veteran's claims for coronary artery disease, PTSD, COPD, erectile dysfunction, and TDIU. The issues of service connection and rating will be remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits due to new evidence received since the last denial. The issue of entitlement to a higher initial rating for coronary artery disease, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and erectile dysfunction, as well as total disability based on individual unemployability will be addressed in a separate decision.

The Board dismissed the appeals for bilateral wrist/joints condition with loss of feeling and skin rash. The COPD, hypertension, and prostate problems claims are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's conditions and his military service, particularly concerning asthma, COPD, and left hip replacement.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for a pulmonary disability is dismissed as his appeal was not timely filed and he did not submit new and material evidence within one year.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for lymphoma has been dismissed. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for respiratory condition (including COPD and lung scarring) due to chemical, dust, and asbestos exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to asbestos in service and its relation to his COPD. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for COPD, Heart Disorder, and Hypertension due to in-service herbicide exposure. Additional evidence is needed, including VA medical examinations and opinions on the relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination. The issues include hearing loss, sinusitis, rhinitis, COPD, headaches, sleep apnea, arthritis conditions, eye disabilities, circulatory problems, neuropathy, radiculopathy, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, hip disabilities, psychiatric disorders, lumbar spine disability, knee disabilities, and other unspecified conditions.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence linking his military service to his respiratory conditions or his death.

The Veteran withdrew his claim for service connection for COPD.

The Veteran's cause of death was not caused by a service-connected disability, as his conditions were not related to his military service.