COPD decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the record existing prior to the appealed decision, including a lack of an adequate opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's COPD. The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is not considered to be the primary cause of his COPD.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error, requiring a VA examination for COPD.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, claimed as COPD and a bronchial disability due to inadequate reasoning in the previous decision.

The Veteran's service connection claims for COPD, sleeping problems, female sexual dysfunction, and chronic back problems have been denied as the Board found that her current conditions are not caused or aggravated by her service-connected right heminephrectomy with normal renal function.

The Board has remanded the claims for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and tinnitus due to errors in obtaining VA examinations and medical opinions, as well as unclear information about specific exposures during service.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for pulmonary eosinophilia with COPD and a TDIU effective date prior to May 8, 2015 are being remanded due to the need for clarification of medical opinions regarding side effects from medications.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for a respiratory disorder, specifically COPD, interstitial lung disease, emphysema, and/or pulmonary fibrosis. The examiner is asked to provide an opinion on whether these conditions are related to service exposure.

The Veteran's respiratory disability, including COPD, is being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for a proper medical opinion addressing his service connection claim and exposure history.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension under the PACT Act, but has remanded all other issues due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran's heart disability, sleep apnea, colon cancer, and COPD are still on appeal.

The Veteran's arthritis, hypertension (claimed as high blood pressure), left hernia, verruca plantaris, and COPD were all denied service connection. The denial for arthritis was based on the lack of evidence showing a continuity of symptoms since service. The denial for hypertension was based on the absence of evidence demonstrating it manifested within one year of separation from service or with a continuous symptomatology. The denial for left hernia was due to the absence of in-service event, injury, or disease. The denial for verruca plantaris was because there is no evidence showing its onset during service. The denial for COPD was based on the lack of PFT values meeting the criteria for a 10 percent rating.,The Veteran's right hernia claim is remanded as the VA examiner did not provide an opinion addressing whether it clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service or if it was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's COPD is rated at 30 percent, effective January 13, 2011. The Board found that the evidence did not show symptoms more nearly approximating a higher rating.

The Veteran's cause of death is listed as COPD, but the Board is unable to determine if tinnitus contributed substantially or materially to his death. The Board also finds that reasonable steps should be taken to determine the Veteran's in-service toxic exposure risk activities and obtain a medical opinion regarding the relationship between COPD and these exposures.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for alcohol dependence, anxiety, COPD, insomnia, depression, and asthmatic bronchitis due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there is no evidence linking any of the diseases leading to his death to his military service or exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD due to a lack of consideration of his presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his active duty service in Vietnam. The Veteran is encouraged to submit additional evidence outside the evidentiary window.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of VA examination and opinion regarding service connection for COPD, which is presumed related to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran's mood disorder is granted as it was caused by the medications taken for his service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).,Service connection for left and right knee disabilities is denied due to lack of evidence showing a chronic disability in service or within one year after separation.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted effective April 8, 2022, the date of his service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of COPD is less likely than not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected esophageal stricture with peptic ulcer disease.

The Board has remanded the DIC claim for further development, including obtaining a VA examination and making findings regarding whether the Appellant is considered the Veteran's surviving spouse. The examiner will assess the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected conditions and his death.