COPD decisions — 2024

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but remanded the claims for service connection of COPD, atrial fibrillation, and hypertension due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the cause of death and DIC claim. The AOJ is required to obtain new VA medical opinions addressing whether service-connected conditions contributed to the Veteran's death, as well as any negligence in reducing his pain medication.

The Board has restored service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and chronic bronchitis, finding that the original grant of service connection was not clearly erroneous.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives, specifically regarding the appellant's failure to attend scheduled VA examinations for COPD. The case is now pending for further evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in development and lack of a VA etiological opinion. The Veteran's COPD claim will be reconsidered with additional evidence obtained.

The Veteran's appeal concerning the claims of skin cancers, migraines, sinusitis, and COPD has been dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted due to the PACT Act presumption of exposure. Service connection for COPD is remanded as there was no VA examination prior to the April 2022 rating decision.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to inadequate evaluations of the Veteran's service-connected low back strain and COPD with OSA.

The appeal of the claim for service connection for sleep apnea is dismissed. The issue of service connection for a respiratory disorder, to include asbestosis and COPD, is remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for high cholesterol, back disability, pulmonary granulomas, sleep apnea, COPD, Crohn's disease, headaches, heart disability, seizure disorder, myoclonic jerk disorder, and rhinitis due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examinations and a need for additional testing, specifically a high resolution CT scan.

The appeal for service connection for a respiratory issue, to include shortness of breath and pulmonary fibrosis was dismissed due to an error in docketing the VA Form 10182.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete medical records and inadequate VA examination for asthma. The claim will be reconsidered with the addition of private treatment records and a new VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a respiratory condition, diagnosed as pulmonary atelectasis, finding that the Veteran's current lung pathology is related to his military service. The decision also acknowledges the Veteran's exposure to asbestos during his time in the Air Force.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and medical opinions. The issues of aid and attendance are also being remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the service connection issues.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's asthma and COPD, finding that his current respiratory disorders are related to his military service. The decision is based on a positive nexus opinion provided by his treating physician.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of relevant private treatment records in the claims file, which may be necessary for proper adjudication.

The Veteran's COPD is granted as service connected due to exposure to asbestos during military service.

The Board remands the claim for service connection of the Veteran's cause of death to obtain a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the conditions listed as causes of death and their relation to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's COPD is granted as service connected due to in-service exposure to burn pits, which is presumed under the PACT Act.