COPD Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of his right knee, respiratory, and psychiatric disabilities. The RO is instructed to schedule examinations and obtain updated VA treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for asthma and COPD due to the Veteran's failure to report for a scheduled examination. The case is now being sent back for further review.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's breathing problems and COPD and his service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to exposure at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. The Veteran's interstitial lung disease and COPD are being examined for a causal link to exposure to contaminated water and chemical gas in service. His hypertension is also being evaluated for a possible link to these exposures. Lastly, his bilateral lower extremity skin rash condition is being reviewed for a potential connection to the same exposures.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right foot disabilities, as well as COPD. Additional development is needed including obtaining updated VA treatment records, scheduling a new examination for her migraines, and conducting a VA pulmonary and foot examinations.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for COPD, atrial fibrillation (secondary to COPD and sleep apnea), and mild obstructive sleep apnea. The cases are remanded due to insufficient evidence on the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen his claim of service connection for a lung disability, including emphysema, is denied. The Board also remanded the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability as a result of service-connected disabilities (TDIU).

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional disability caused by VA medical treatment, finding that the Veteran's polycythemia was not caused or aggravated by VA care and that his other conditions were unrelated to VA treatment.

The claim of service connection for COPD is being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current condition and his in-service asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's spouse requires aid and assistance due to her medical conditions, including COPD, which limits her ability to perform daily activities such as preparing meals and managing finances. The Board has determined that she is in need of regular aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial evaluation of his various conditions, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, COPD, hypertension, prostate disorder, type II diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathy, and anxiety disorder NOS.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service connected. The respiratory disorders claim, including COPD and Farmer's lung disease, are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's obstructive lung disease, including COPD and bronchitis, is not service-connected as it is neither proximately due to nor aggravated by his service-connected restrictive lung disease.,Prior to June 6, 2016, the Veteran’s bilateral hearing loss was rated at 20 percent. Beginning June 6, 2016, the rating for bilateral hearing loss has been increased to 30 percent.

The Board has denied service connection for high cholesterol as it is not a disability recognized by VA. The remaining issues on appeal are being remanded due to the Veteran's assertion of increased severity since his last examination.

The Board has granted effective dates of June 24, 2011 for the Veteran's service-connected left carpal tunnel syndrome, right carpal tunnel syndrome, emphysema/COPD, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The issues related to an increased rating for emphysema/COPD are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to support these claims. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between in-service carbon tetrachloride exposure and the Veteran's COPD and leukemia.

The Veteran's service-connected vertigo is granted, with the Board finding that his current diagnosis of chronic vertigo is related to exposure to contaminants in the water at Camp Lejeune during service.,Service connection for a respiratory disability (to include asthma and COPD), heart disability, hypertension, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome are remanded due to lack of medical evidence addressing these claims.

The Board denied service connection for COPD as the evidence did not support a finding that it was incurred in or caused by service, including exposure to Agent Orange or paint remover.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted, and his peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities are rated at 20 percent each. His peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities (sciatic nerve) are rated at 40 percent each since June 18, 2013, and his peripheral neuropathy of the anterior femoral nerves are rated at 20 percent each.