COPD decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete examination and development needs. The Veteran's respiratory conditions, including COPD, bronchiectasis, chronic bronchitis, and chronic sinusitis, are being reviewed for service connection based on exposure to herbicide agents during his Vietnam service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for COPD and a low back disorder due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The Veteran's COPD may be related to his exposure to herbicides in service, or secondary to his lung cancer. His low back disorder is not likely related to service.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, finding that the Veteran's smoking history was more likely responsible for his condition and not related to his service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's death was caused by congestive heart failure, which is listed as a 'sequel to Agent Orange' on his death certificate. The Board has ordered further development including obtaining medical records and an addendum opinion from the VA examiner who previously reviewed the case.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were dismissed. The Board found that the Veteran withdrew his claims, granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD with other specified depressive disorder, but denied an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the cases of hypertension, respiratory disorder (COPD), and obstructive sleep apnea for further development to obtain medical opinions addressing their etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), finding that these conditions were caused by exposure to herbicide agents in service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, cardiovascular disability (other than hypertension), low back disability, bilateral hip disability, OSA, COPD, sinusitis, and allergic rhinitis. The Board found that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and his service-connected asthma with COPD. The Veteran is seeking service connection for OSA as secondary to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the relationship between the Veteran's COPD and his service, as well as whether it was caused by or aggravated by any of his service-connected disabilities.

The claims for service connection for asthma, COPD, PTSD, and TDIU are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence since the last decisions.

The Veteran's right knee disability and respiratory disorder are found to have onset during service, warranting service connection. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the respiratory disorder.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly assess the Veteran's claims for a compensable initial rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for COPD, and service connection for residuals of a right leg injury. The Veteran will need to provide medical records from various providers and VA facilities.

The Board denied the claim for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities because there was insufficient evidence showing that the Veteran's service-connected conditions prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart and/or circulatory disability, hypertension, and COPD. The decision on hypertension was granted due to the PACT Act of 2022, but the direct service connection claim remains before the Board.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and service connection have been remanded due to insufficient development of the medical records.

The Board has found less than substantial compliance with the remand directives and has ordered a new medical opinion to address the Veteran's pulmonary fibrosis, COPD, and lung cancer claims.

The Board has found that the prior remands were not substantially complied with and an additional remand is necessary to ensure due process and a complete record for adjudication.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for a Gulf War examination.