COPD decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for myocardial infarction, arteriosclerotic heart disease (CAD), percutaneous coronary intervention with stent placement, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as these conditions are presumed to be related to the Veteran's in-service exposure to herbicide agents used during his active duty in Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a recurrent lung condition, including COPD and asthma, is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset of his symptoms during active service.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, finding that the evidence did not support a diagnosis of COPD in service or due to exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran's history and treatment records showed no objective findings supporting COPD until 2010.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his disabilities due to a lack of medical opinions linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a respiratory disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and ischemic heart disease, including congestive heart failure.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for further medical opinion regarding the Veteran's cause of death.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's respiratory disabilities and their relationship to his service-connected tuberculosis. The VA must obtain a supplemental opinion addressing causation and aggravation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's asthma, which is a component of his respiratory disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of COPD and therefore, service connection for COPD is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD is being remanded due to a request from the Veteran's representative challenging the qualifications of the March 2022 VA examiner.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for COPD and TDIU due to potential issues with the medical opinion provided. The COPD claim is related to herbicide exposure during active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment, warranting a grant of TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a pulmonary disorder, including chronic bronchitis and COPD, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is related to service, and thus service connection for COPD is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for COPD, low back disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability due to incomplete information about the Veteran's Camp Lejeune service. The VA will need to verify this service and obtain the curriculum vitae of the examiners who provided opinions on these claims.

The Veteran's heart condition, including myocardial infarction, is granted service connection based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The claims for COPD and hypertension are remanded as there is insufficient medical evidence to determine if they are related to the Veteran's conceded herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, COPD, and a sleep disorder due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's reported stressors and lack of credible supporting evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for pleural plaques, but denied service connection for COPD and emphysema. Pleural plaques are found to be related to in-service asbestos exposure, while COPD and emphysema are not.

The Veteran's skin disability and chronic bronchitis and COPD were denied service connection. The Veteran's initial rating for the service-connected chronic bronchitis and COPD was also denied.

The Veteran's initial claim for a 10% disability rating for asbestosis with pleural plaques and COPD was granted. The issue of service connection for melanoma, which may be related to herbicide exposure, is remanded.