COPD decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), finding that the Veteran's conditions are due to in-service chemical exposure, specifically trichloroethylene (TCE).

The Board has remanded the claims for COPD and heart condition due to inadequate opinions in previous decisions. The Veteran's COPD is being reviewed again, including his service exposure history and smoking habits. The heart condition claim requires a comprehensive opinion addressing VA's failure to monitor and treat the Veteran's heart condition.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of COPD has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error in the April 2020 VA examination and the need for a new medical opinion regarding the etiology of COPD.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's cause of death, finding that COPD and congestive heart failure were not related to his military service or herbicide exposure.

The Board denied service connection for asthma and COPD, finding that the evidence did not support a direct or presumptive association between these conditions and service, including exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for service connection and a compensable rating for the listed conditions, effectively dismissing them.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of August 9, 2013 for service connection of pulmonary fibrosis with COPD was granted. An initial rating of 60 percent for the period from July 9, 2016 to May 18, 2020 is also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease, finding that the Veteran's long-term smoking habit and exposure to asbestos during military service are at least in approximate balance as a nexus between his condition and service. The other claims of service connection were denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's COPD is related to service, specifically smoking cigarettes and/or exposure to tank exhaust fumes.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD and remanded the issue of service connection for asthma. Service connection for lung cancer and its residuals was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD and pulmonary conditions is denied.,The Veteran's claims of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD prior to May 6, 2020, and for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are remanded. The claim of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension. The Board found new and relevant evidence to support these claims.,Service connection has also been established for left knee and right knee disabilities.

Service connection for COPD is granted on a presumptive basis due to exposure to burn pits during service in Saudi Arabia. Other issues are remanded.

Service connection for COPD is granted on a presumptive basis due to exposure to environmental hazards in Afghanistan. Service connection for fatigue is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if COPD is related to service, specifically exposure to herbicides and burn pits. The Veteran's diagnosis of COPD was previously confirmed through VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and COPD. The effective date remains to be determined as the claim was previously denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, CAD, and service connection for COPD and emphysema have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has denied a compensable disability rating for the service-connected asbestosis, finding that the Veteran's decreased pulmonary function is due to nonservice-connected COPD and emphysema.