COPD Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for colon cancer, COPD, and esophageal cancer (claimed as laryngeal carcinoma) is being remanded due to insufficient evidence.,Specifically, the claims for COPD and esophageal cancer are related to Agent Orange exposure in service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether COPD is related to service, particularly herbicide exposure. The Veteran's coronary artery disease may also be considered in relation to his COPD.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for respiratory and heart conditions due to insufficient rationale in the VA examination opinions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for allergic rhinitis, chronic bronchitis, chronic asthma, and COPD are all granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the cause of the Veteran's death and the likely etiology of his congestive heart failure, particularly in relation to presumed herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected depression is found to be the principal cause of his death due to cardiopulmonary arrest and pneumonia.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, is not rated higher than 20 percent.,The Board has remanded the claims for COPD, bronchiolitis interstitial lung disease, and atrial fibrillation due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeal regarding a disability rating for residuals of shell fragment wound, muscle weakness and atrophy, limited motion of right shoulder is dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for COPD and hypertension due to herbicide exposure.

The Board dismissed the appeals for increased ratings and service connection claims related to valvular heart disease with sinus tachycardia, hypertension, COPD, and myocardial infarction as the appellant requested withdrawal of her appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is not etiologically related to his active service and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, asthma and COPD, sleep apnea, and erectile dysfunction due to outstanding VA treatment records and further medical examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus. Service connection is also granted for back, right ankle, eye, sinus, and COPD disabilities. However, rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals of colon cancer remains remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a chronic respiratory disorder and leukemia due to new diagnoses and lack of medical opinions on these issues.

Service connection is granted for COPD, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation as secondary to COPD, and obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to COPD and/or paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

The Veteran's service connection claims for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and hypertension are denied. The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional evidence regarding the Veteran's hypertension, including whether it is related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents or secondary to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for her low back disability is denied. The Board found that the objective medical findings did not support a higher rating, despite the Veteran's reported symptoms and functional limitations. Her claim for TDIU was granted as she met the schedular requirements and had service-connected disabilities rated at least 60% combined.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to inadequate testing in a previous VA examination.

The Veteran's service connection claim for respiratory conditions, including as due to exposure to herbicide agents and contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, is denied. The Veteran's PTSD rating from April 2, 2014 to February 23, 2017 is granted at a 50 percent disability rating but his request for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent during this period is denied.

The Board denied service connection for a lung disability, including asbestosis and COPD, due to asbestos exposure during active service. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was also denied an initial compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain additional VA treatment records. The Veteran's claims of service connection for sinusitis, respiratory disorders (including asthma and COPD), and bladder disorder are still pending.