COPD decisions — 2024

The Veteran's COPD, to include asthma and OSA, is rated at 100 percent effective March 31, 2020. Separate ratings for COPD, OSA, and asthma are denied as per VA regulations. SMC at the housebound rate is granted effective March 31, 2015.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of COPD was dismissed due to their passing away during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions and a TDIU were dismissed due to his death during the appeal process.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of COPD, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service. The decision was based on a lack of medical evidence supporting a link between exposure to flour dust and COPD development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left foot plantar fasciitis is granted. The claims for right foot plantar fasciitis, COPD, and sleep apnea are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's COPD and emphysema are related to herbicide exposure during service, specifically Agent Orange. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's lung cancer, FGID, and COPD were rated at 30 percent prior to March 6, 2023. The Board found that the symptoms did not warrant a higher rating during this period.

The Veteran's COPD and emphysema are related to herbicide exposure during service, specifically Agent Orange. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and hypertension have been dismissed as the appeals are not valid due to lack of timely notice of disagreement or supplemental claim.

The Veteran's death was not service connected due to lack of evidence linking his conditions to service, and there is no presumption of exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange). The Board found the evidence did not support a grant of service connection for any condition that caused or contributed to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's cause of death was related to his service, specifically his exposure to herbicide agents or his service-connected ischemic heart disease.

The Board has remanded several claims related to PTSD, shoulder conditions, COPD, and pterygium. The Veteran's service-connected conditions will need further evaluation by VA examiners.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory condition, including COPD, finding that there is no evidence to support an etiological relationship between his current COPD and active duty service. The only competent opinions are from VA examiners who concluded that the COPD is due to the veteran's tobacco use.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to be the primary cause of his COPD, left hip disability, right hip disability, skin disability, and sleep apnea. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's lung cancer and COPD are granted on a presumptive basis due to service in Kuwait after August 2, 1990. The brain tumor is granted as secondary to the now presumed lung cancer.,Bilateral pes planus is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for atherosclerotic heart disease, lung disorder, seizure disorder, and essential tremor due to potential errors in duty-to-assist.,Obstructive sleep apnea was denied as not related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for COPD was dismissed because the issue had already been pending at the AOJ and a higher-level review request was filed before the VA Form 10182 Notice of Disagreement could be considered.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is not due to his service and attributing it more likely to his smoking history.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection. The acquired psychiatric disability, asthma, COPD, and sleep apnea are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection have been withdrawn due to the Veteran's representative requesting withdrawal of all appeals.,All appeals for service connection have been dismissed as per the Veteran's representative's requests.