COPD decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's COPD, which was diagnosed in July 2022. The VA needs to conduct a thorough examination and provide an opinion on whether the COPD is related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for heart arrhythmia, COPD, kidney condition, and hysterectomy residuals due to exposure to chemicals while stationed at Ft. McClellan, as there was not substantial compliance with its February 2021 remand directives.

Service connection is granted for metastatic adenocarcinoma, lung primary and hypertension due to herbicide exposure. Service connection for COPD (emphysema) remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD with bronchitis secondary to GERD on a causation basis, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's COPD was caused by his service-connected GERD.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete development and need for further medical opinions regarding asbestos exposure during service, which may be related to the Veteran's cause of death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD with emphysema is as likely as not related to service, granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the service connection claim for COPD due to a lack of a VA examination and medical opinion, as it is necessary to determine if the Veteran's current COPD disability is related to his in-service exposure to tear gas.

The Board has granted service connection for a chronic respiratory disorder (other than asthma), including COPD and emphysema, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are etiologically related to service.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, OSA, and diabetes mellitus type II as there was no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's respiratory disability, including COPD, emphysema, asthma, obstructive sleep apnea, and sarcoidosis, was rated at 10 percent prior to June 4, 2010. From June 4, 2010, to August 28, 2014, the rating was increased to 30 percent. Since August 29, 2014, a 100 percent initial rating has been granted due to episodes of acute respiratory failure.

The Veteran's diagnosed COPD is presumed to be related to exposure to environmental hazards, including burn pits and other toxins, while he was serving in the Persian Gulf. The claim for fibromyalgia is denied as there is no current diagnosis of fibromyalgia.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, including asthma and COPD, to include as due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents, smoke, and fumes. The Board found that there was no evidence of chronic conditions in service or after leaving service, and concluded that the current disabilities were not related to military service.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, finding that the evidence did not support a causal relationship between the Veteran's in-service asbestos exposure and his current COPD. The claim was based on direct service connection rather than any presumption or secondary theory.

The Veteran's lung disability, including COPD and fibrotic nonspecific interstitial pneumonia, is granted as service-connected due to exposure in the Southwest Asia theater of operations. The Board also found that his pulmonary embolism may be related to service but requires further examination for a definitive opinion.

The Veteran's COPD is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to his service, including his exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The examiner will also assess whether the COPD is caused by or aggravated by his service-connected sinusitis.

The Board has remanded the case due to VA's failure to obtain private treatment records for COPD, which may affect service connection. The Veteran is asked to provide authorization for these records and submit them.

The Veteran's service connection claim for Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML) has been granted.,The Veteran's service connection claim for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and COPD, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions. The Board also found that COPD is not due to herbicide exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the onset of COPD in service, its relation to active service, and its relation to exposure to fumes from jet/diesel fuel and herbicide agents. The Veteran's hypertension is not considered a factor in determining whether COPD was caused or aggravated by it.