COPD decisions — 2024

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection of a heart disability, left knee disability, COPD, and skin cancer. The heart condition claim was already granted by the AOJ.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD and remanded the issue of secondary service connection for sleep apnea due to his service-connected unspecified depressive disorder. The AOJ must obtain a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea.

The Board denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis with gout, COPD, cardiomegaly (enlarged heart), tendonitis, erectile dysfunction, and diabetes mellitus, type II. The evidence did not support a current diagnosis of any of these conditions.,Service connection was also denied for acid reflux disease as it is not service-connected on a secondary basis.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining information about the qualifications of a VA examiner and completing a TERA memorandum. The claims for service connection are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory condition, including fibrotic lung changes, bronchiectasis, and COPD, as secondary to sarcoidosis. The evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's current conditions were related to his in-service treatment or service.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including right hand fifth digit condition, respiratory condition (including asthma and COPD), left knee arthritis, right knee arthritis, low back condition, hypertension, migraines headaches, and congestive heart failure.

Service connection for COPD and bilateral hearing loss is granted. Service connection for neck disorder and back disorder is denied.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including hyperlipidemia, hypertension, peripheral vestibular disorder, a disability manifested by passing out, obstructive sleep apnea, migraine headaches, low back disability, psychiatric disorders, allergic rhinitis, bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating. The lung condition issue (COPD) and heart condition issue are both remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and COPD as they are related to service. The VA needs to provide a new examination and medical opinions addressing the etiology of the Veteran's conditions, specifically focusing on noise exposure during service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of the issue regarding service connection for a respiratory disability, including COPD, as it is considered moot due to remand and further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of COPD, finding that it was not incurred during active duty and attributing it to exposure to secondhand smoke.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD due to asbestos exposure during active duty, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD, finding that the Veteran's COPD is related to his asbestos exposure during military service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with MDD is granted at a maximum rating of 100 percent from February 5, 2015, to August 25, 2015. Service connection for COPD and chronic diarrhea are also granted under the PACT Act effective date.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, specifically failing to provide a VA examination for COPD. The Veteran's COPD is presumed related to herbicide agent exposure in service.

The Board has found that another remand is necessary as VA failed to substantially comply with the Board's prior remand instructions regarding functional impairment, medical treatment for COPD and asthma, and somatization disorder. The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD remains pending.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for COPD and entitlement to TDIU prior to March 17, 2011 due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand requests. Additional development is needed including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of COPD.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to ensure compliance with previous remand directives and to provide the content of substantive appeals to all contesting parties.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD on a direct basis, finding that the Veteran's current respiratory disorder is related to his military service. The decision also addressed secondary service connection but found it not warranted.