COPD decisions — 2024

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is granted as incurred during service. The decision on tinnitus and COPD remains pending due to remand requirements.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing service treatment records and a failure to attempt to obtain them. The cause of death is related to service, but there are no STRs available.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD due to its relation to the Veteran's military service in the Southwest Asia theatre of operations during the Persian Gulf War.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a left hip condition, COPD, and asthma has been dismissed as the AOJ granted these benefits in full. The appeal for an increased disability evaluation for hypertension is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD has been granted. However, his claim for a compensable disability rating for erectile dysfunction remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis, lung cancer, and COPD with pulmonary hypertension have been dismissed as moot because these conditions are already service-connected.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error and statutory duty, requiring additional medical opinions on the nature and etiology of bronchial asthma and COPD.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for COPD and emphysema due to duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran's exposure to asbestos, gas, smoke, and other toxins during service is not verified, and a new VA examination is needed.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to provide a VA examination for service connection of COPD, as there are in-service respiratory symptoms and post-service treatment records indicating COPD. The Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange during service is conceded.

The Veteran's service-connected COPD, lumbar degenerative disc disease, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy have resulted in the need for regular aid and attendance of another person. The Board has granted entitlement to SMC based on the need for aid and attendance effective December 19, 2017.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents, and the current disabilities are not shown to be related to active service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected due to in-service noise exposure.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) is denied because there is no evidence of a current disability or symptoms during the appeal period.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for COPD was denied as the March 2007 Board decision became final, and no new claims were filed between that decision and February 22, 2012.,The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for COPD prior to March 26, 2021, and on and after March 26, 2021, was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.,The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for ED was denied as the current rating criteria do not allow for a compensable rating.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD, finding that the evidence is in approximate balance and resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's COPD has been rated at 10 percent since May 20, 2015. The Board is remanding the case due to a lack of complete medical records from December 2017 and 2018 that were in existence at the time of the October 2019 rating decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his claim for bipolar disorder and the issues of COPD, hypertension, left knee condition, bilateral hearing loss, and left elbow disability are being remanded due to procedural errors.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection due to the Veteran's death, and no jurisdiction remains to adjudicate these claims.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death due to cardiac arrest, congestive heart failure, hypertension, and COPD. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to the Veteran's active service.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for a separate disability rating for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that his symptoms were adequately addressed under the current 50 percent rating assigned for COPD.