COPD decisions — 2022

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for his service-connected asbestosis, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating due to the severity of his COPD and emphysema.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal regarding the disability rating for COPD, and the Board dismissed the case as a result.

The Board has granted service connection for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Chronic Kidney Disease, attributing these conditions to the Veteran's presumed exposure to herbicides during service.

The Veteran's service-connected asbestosis is not rated higher than noncompensable due to the presence of nonservice-connected COPD and emphysema, which are attributed to his smoking history.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development, including VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, a skin condition, obstructive sleep apnea, and ataxia due to exposure to harmful chemicals. The claims are now considered on their merits.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to assess the Veteran's functional impairment from his service-connected disabilities, as he failed to report to previous examinations. The TDIU claim is being returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has granted direct service connection for asthma and COPD, finding that the Veteran's conditions had their onset during service and are related to herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for calcifying plaquing distal abdominal aorta, right femoral endarterectomy, and peripheral vascular disease due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's pulmonary disease (COPD) was denied as not related to his service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new medical opinion is needed regarding the Veteran's lung disability.

The Veteran's COPD is granted as secondary to his service-connected tuberculosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD with asthma is at least as likely as not related to in-service exposure to jet fuel, aircraft exhaust, paint and other hazardous chemical fumes. Therefore, service connection for COPD with asthma is granted.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's COPD and his bilateral photophobia, dry eye syndrome, and arcus senilis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU as his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as a result of the PACT Act, which establishes it as a presumptive disease for in-service exposure to herbicide agents.,Right knee strain and erectile dysfunction are both granted based on service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current lung disabilities, including diffuse interstitial fibrosis and COPD. The case requires further development with updated treatment records and a new examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's respiratory and lung conditions, specifically addressing whether they are related to service exposure or his smoking history.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to unsuccessful attempts by VA to obtain relevant records from the Veteran's SSA disability benefits file. The issues of entitlement to service connection for kidney disorder, peripheral neuropathy, erectile dysfunction, and COPD are being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's cause of death is listed as COPD, but the amended death certificate also notes other conditions contributing to his death. The appellant should be given an opportunity to submit additional documentation used for the amended death certificate.

The Veteran's cause of death, including his malignant neoplasm of tonsillar pillar anterior posterior and COPD, is remanded for a VA medical opinion to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.