COPD Board decisions

This case is remanded due to the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including prostate cancer and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The Board found that there was insufficient evidence to support these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory disorder, including COPD, tuberculosis, asthma, bronchiectasis, and pulmonary fibrosis, is related to his active service. The evidence is at least in equipoise regarding this claim.

The Veteran's hypertension and cardiomyopathy are granted as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus and PTSD.,PTSD is granted with a 100 percent rating throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's esophageal cancer, which caused his death, was proximately due to tobacco abuse related to his service-connected PTSD. Service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death is granted.

The appeal for service connection of COPD has been withdrawn and dismissed. The claims for diabetes mellitus, type II; bronchitis; gastrointestinal disorder; skin disorder of the inner thighs and under arms; and skin disorder of the feet have been remanded due to inextricably intertwined issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's recurrent URTIs, and a VA examination is needed.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the issues of financial assistance for adaptive equipment, specially adapted housing, and special home adaptation grant. The appeal for service connection for COPD as secondary to lung cancer is also dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for COPD, inguinal hernia, skin disability, and bilateral knee disability have been dismissed. The claim for a bilateral knee disability has been reopened but remains remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's COPD is related to his service, specifically his reported exposure to asbestos. The VA must provide an examination that takes into consideration this exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD and lung cancer, with the latter being granted on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and COPD are denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service occurrence that would support these claims.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for a respiratory disability and multiple myeloma are being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining dose assessments related to ionizing radiation exposure.

The Veteran's OSA and COPD were not shown to be related to military service or herbicide exposure. The Board found that the evidence did not support a link between his PTSD, diabetes, and other service-connected disabilities causing his OSA.

The Board has decided that additional development is necessary before a decision can be made on the Veteran's claim for service connection for lung disorders, including asthma and COPD, due to in-service exposure to asbestos. The case will be remanded for further examination and evidence collection.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected COPD was the principal or contributory cause of his death.

The Veteran's lung cancer residuals are being remanded for further evaluation, including a VA examination to assess the current effects of his disability. His TDIU claim is also being remanded due to its inextricably intertwined nature with the evaluation issue.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for obtaining missing SSA medical records and VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating for bronchial asthma disability was denied, and the Board found that his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The COPD issue is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its service connection.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not shown to be first manifested during active duty and is not related to any injury or event in service.

The Veteran's claimed conditions were not found to be related to service or due to exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange). Service connection was denied for all conditions.