COPD decisions — 2023

The claim for service connection for COPD is denied as the evidence does not establish that it was incurred in or aggravated by active service, including due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's current diagnosis of COPD is also not related to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, as he is limited to sedentary work.

The Veteran's tension headaches and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity have not been productive of characteristic prostrating attacks or other symptoms warranting higher ratings.,Service connection for asthma, respiratory insufficiency (COPD), sinusitis, neck disability, and muscle and joint pain has not been established.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of COPD, an undiagnosed illness, or a qualifying chronic disability. The claims for service connection for left wrist and knee disabilities are remanded due to inadequate opinions regarding direct service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depressive disorder). The remaining issues are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further examination. The Veteran's service treatment records are sought, as well as an addendum opinion regarding his back disability.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD, but denied service connection for asbestosis.

The Veteran died from end-stage COPD with congestive heart failure. The appellant seeks higher pension rates and service connection for the cause of death, but her claims are denied.,The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's death to his service-connected conditions or any other condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD as the result of exposure to toxic substances during service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations is granted under the provisions of the PACT Act.,Service connection for bilateral tinnitus is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding personnel records and potential exposure to contaminated water. Additional medical opinions are needed regarding the etiology of his lumbar spine, cervical spine, gastrointestinal disorders, GERD, kidney cancer residuals, and hand tremors.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's respiratory disability, including diagnosed asthma and COPD. The issues of service connection for residuals of a stress fracture of the left fibula and bilateral hearing loss have been resolved in full.

The Veteran's respiratory condition, specifically asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is rated at 30 percent. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 6602 or 6604.

The Board has granted service connection for asbestos-related lung disease and COPD, as well as vasovagal syncope, both of which are linked to the Veteran's in-service exposure to asbestos. The decision is based on direct service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial evaluation for chronic sinusitis is denied due to the lack of evidence of incapacitating episodes.,PTSD service connection is denied as there is no current diagnosis and insufficient medical evidence linking PTSD to service.

The Veteran was previously employed but resigned due to service-connected disabilities, including back pain and ureteral stricture.,From January 1, 2017, onward, the combination of his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's assertion that his major depressive disorder prevented him from using a CPAP mask, which resulted in poor quality of sleep.

The Veteran's cause of death was pulmonary fibrosis with a contributing cause of COPD. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's interstitial pulmonary fibrosis and COPD were not related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lung disability to include COPD and COLD is reopened, but the issue of whether he is entitled to service connection remains pending. The case is remanded for further development including a VA examination.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with its remand directives and an additional remand is necessary for further development regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral flat feet, back disability, and lung condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bronchiectasis and COPD due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology, particularly in relation to herbicide agent exposure during service.