COPD decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to exposure to herbicide agents, including Agent Orange exposure while stationed in Thailand. The appellant is seeking presumptive service connection based on her husband's alleged exposure to herbicides during his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine, respiratory, and throat disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions. The VA must provide an addendum opinion on all issues related to service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has remanded both respiratory disorder and psychiatric disorder issues to obtain additional evidence and opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a low back disorder and COPD due to inadequate medical opinions and need for additional evidence. The Veteran's lay statements regarding his symptoms will be considered.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition has been reopened due to new evidence. Other issues have also been remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions regarding his breathing disorder and colon cancer, which are related to exposure to agent orange.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, bilateral knee disability, and respiratory airway disease (COPD).

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his service connection claim for COPD. The Board will also consider whether a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) should be granted, given that he currently has only one service-connected condition.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death due to lack of evidence showing a service-connected disability caused or contributed to the Veteran's death from lung cancer and COPD.

Service connection is granted for pleural plaques, asbestosis, and neck cancer. Service connection is denied for COPD and tongue cancer. CAD remains remanded.

The Board's decision denying service connection for ILD and COPD is vacated due to a Privacy Act request that was not fulfilled before the decision, allowing for new evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension due to military environmental exposure under the PACT Act, but denied service connection for thoracolumbar spine disability, cancer of the left tonsil, and COPD.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for residuals of lung cancer status post lobectomy was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 6604.

The Board has denied service connection for a hearing loss disability of the right ear. The issues of service connection for residuals of TBI, acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and substance abuse), pulmonary disability (including COPD and emphysema), and lumbar spine disability are all remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed to his death due to COPD, which was aggravated by smoking habits resulting from PTSD. The Board granted service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left scapula scar tissue has been granted, and his claim for COPD (presumed due to burn pit exposure) is also granted. The case is remanded for additional development regarding the left scapula scar tissue.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability due to asbestos exposure, finding that there was no evidence of a link between his current lung condition and his active service. The Board noted that the Veteran had normal lungs at separation from service and remained asymptomatic for lung disease until his diagnosis in 1998.

The Board has remanded the cases of asthma and COPD for further evaluation due to inadequate VA medical opinions regarding the relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and the need for additional examinations.