COPD Board decisions

The Veteran's COPD has been rated at 100 percent effective March 13, 2017. The Board is remanding the case to obtain VA treatment records and any private medical records from Baptist Hospital that may contain information pertinent to this claim.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death and burial benefits due to insufficient efforts in obtaining information regarding the Veteran's exposure to poisonous gases during service. The appellant must provide additional evidence, and VA will attempt to obtain any relevant records from federal agencies.

The Veteran's lung disability is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed lung disability.

The Veteran's death was caused by end stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which the VA has determined was aggravated by his service-connected gastritis. The Board is remanding the case for further development regarding the service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and mood disorder, as secondary to service-connected gastritis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bronchitis, COPD, and obstructive sleep apnea due to a lack of VA examinations. The Veteran is not considered to have previously submitted these claims as he did not claim them in his initial application.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that COPD, diabetes mellitus, type II, and congestive heart failure were not related to his military service or service-connected skin cancer.

The Board denied service connection for COPD and the skin condition (claimed as a sun allergy) because there is no evidence showing that these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death, finding that there is not sufficient evidence to establish a link between peptic ulcer disease and the Veteran's death. The claim was also denied for service connection for peptic ulcer disease due to lack of competent medical evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability is being remanded due to new evidence suggesting the condition may be related to his deployment in the Persian Gulf. The Board will consider whether exposure to environmental hazards during service contributed to his current respiratory issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for respiratory disorders other than bronchoalveolar cancer, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between her current diagnoses and her in-service exposure to contaminants at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Smith Northview Hospital from January 22, 2011 through January 24, 2011 are granted as the care was deemed necessary due to an emergency condition and no VA facility was feasibly available.

The Board denied service connection for OSA and COPD/emphysema, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to her military service or a service-connected condition.,Service connection was also denied for stomach ulcers and hiatal hernia.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and consideration of new evidence, including VA treatment records. The issues include service connection for bilateral hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, COPD, and an increased rating for PTSD.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including COPD. The current opinions do not adequately address the nature and etiology of the Veteran’s claimed conditions.

The appeal for service connection of COPD was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause of the Veteran's death and whether his service-connected PTSD contributed to or hastened his death. The appellant needs to provide additional medical literature or nexus opinions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for spontaneous pneumothorax residuals is remanded. The issue of service connection for COPD as due to aggravation by the service-connected pneumothorax condition remains pending and must be addressed before a final decision can be made.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's respiratory problems, including asthma and COPD. The case will be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypercholesterolemia has been denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of various joints, COPD, constipation (secondary to arthritis), neuropathy of the lower extremities (secondary to arthritis), and prostate disability are remanded due to lack of a nexus opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and depression, bilateral tinnitus, excessive weight gain and obesity, diabetes mellitus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral pes planus, left index finger condition (not diagnosed), neck pain, lower back pain, COPD, dizziness, and chronic UTI and incontinence have been granted. The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss are denied.