COPD decisions — 2024

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD with emphysema and BPH, both of which are not considered presumptive conditions due to herbicide agent exposure. The medical opinions provided concluded that there is no significant evidence suggesting a relationship between these conditions and herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's application to revise the September 1997 rating decision based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE) for a compensable rating for tinnitus was denied. The appeal is also denied regarding service connection, increased ratings, earlier effective dates, and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of an addendum medical opinion regarding his respiratory disorder and a need for a TERA examination. The psychiatric claim is also being remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection for COPD as it was granted in a previous rating decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities of congestive heart failure, erectile dysfunction, a prostate disability, and COPD are not related to his honorable active service. The evidence does not support a finding of exposure to herbicide agents such as Agent Orange during his service.

The Board granted an initial disability rating of 60 percent for obstructive sleep apnea with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and remanded the claims for higher ratings for chronic urticaria and irritable bowel syndrome.

The Board has withdrawn the Veteran's claim for a prostate disability and remanded his claims for lung disability (COPD) and bilateral kidney disability due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The claims for respiratory disability and bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for COPD to correct a duty-to-assist error, requiring an examination and opinion that adequately addresses the Veteran's claimed exposures during service.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence and a duty-to-assist error. The Veteran's representatives argue that his sleep apnea is related to his service-connected IVDS or COPD.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD and chronic sinusitis on a direct basis, effective from August 10, 2022.

The Veteran's lung disease, diagnosed as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, was not shown to be related to service and is attributed to tobacco smoking. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that there was no evidence of a disease or injury in service and insufficient medical evidence to establish a nexus between current COPD and active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further development, including a new VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD and sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, ED, hypertension, lumbar spine pain with DDD, and rhinitis as the evidence did not show a relationship to service.,No new or material evidence was presented to reopen any previously denied claims.

The appeal has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The issues of higher disability ratings for various conditions and service connection for other conditions are not addressed as the appeal is no longer pending.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD on a presumptive basis under the PACT Act, but the claims are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and an examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding sleep apnea and COPD, so the cases are dismissed.

The Veteran's COPD with adenocarcinoma of the lung did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent from March 14, 2003 to May 19, 2011.,A separate rating of 30 percent was granted for bronchiectasis associated with COPD with adenocarcinoma of the lung from March 14, 2003.