COPD Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to Agent Orange exposure, and as a result, the claim for death pension benefits is dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD and a back disability, finding that the Veteran's conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service. The claims for residuals of a collapsed lung have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, a pulmonary disability related to asbestos exposure, and PTSD have been granted. Service connection is also granted for a left shoulder disability (psoriatic arthritis). The Veteran's claim for COPD with asbestosis has been reopened due to new evidence.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a respiratory disorder, hepatitis C, and dental disability have been denied. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing records and need for further examination. The issues include pulmonary disorder, sleep apnea, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and TDIU.

The Veteran's COPD with acute tracheitis and bronchitis is rated at 30 percent from February 10, 2010 to December 13, 2016. The issue of higher initial disability ratings for the condition since December 14, 2016 is dismissed as the Veteran's representative limited the scope of appeal.

The Veteran's service connection claims for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and obstructive sleep apnea have been denied as there is no evidence of these conditions in service or a link to his active duty, including presumed herbicide exposure. The VA examiner found that the Veteran’s COPD and OSA were less likely than not due to his active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bronchial asthma and respiratory conditions including COPD has been reopened, and the Board finds new and material evidence to support the reopening of the claim.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and he is granted a TDIU. The appeals for the other conditions are dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of pneumonia with left lower lung scar and COPD have been granted a 30 percent disability rating effective August 13, 1996.,An increased disability rating for chronic left Achilles tendonitis is denied. The current rating of 20% remains unchanged.

The Board has reopened the service connection claim for the residuals of a bilateral eye surgery due to new medical evidence. The other issues are remanded for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability, or any link to service. The Board found that the claimed conditions are not related to service and do not qualify under the presumptive provisions.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there is no probative medical evidence linking the COPD to his in-service exposure to asbestos and/or jet fuel.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for COPD, initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to April 26, 2016 and in excess of a 20 percent thereafter, and service connection for lung cancer. The TDIU issue remains on appeal.

The Board denied service connection for COPD and remanded the issue of a higher rating for PTSD. The decision on both claims is pending.

The Veteran's current pulmonary disorder, COPD with asthma, was not incurred during active duty service and is not otherwise related to active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence being added to the record after a Substantive Appeal was filed. The VA treatment records detailing the Veteran's treatment for her claimed conditions are relevant and must be reviewed.

The Veteran's cause of death is attributed to acute on chronic renal failure due to or as a consequence of hypertension, with other significant conditions contributing to his death including COPD, Marfan syndrome, and gastrointestinal bleed. The Board finds service connection for the cause of death is warranted.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bronchial asthma, COPD, and PTSD are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of new evidence. The exposure basis is presumed exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his acquired psychiatric condition, hearing loss disability, tinnitus, thoracic/lumbar spine disability, shoulder and knee disabilities, pes planus, eye disabilities, migraine headaches, acid reflux, pseudofolliculitis (PFB), hemorrhoids, pulmonary conditions, including COPD, and Meniere’s disease. The Board has remanded these issues for further action.