COPD decisions — 2024

Service connection is granted for COPD, but the claims of service connection for granulomatous lung disease and heart disease are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for COPD due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its etiology. The Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents and asbestos is conceded, but there is no direct evidence linking COPD to these exposures.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional records from the Social Security Administration.

The Board has dismissed the claims of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, sleep apnea, and COPD due to a failure to timely file a VA Form 10182.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to new evidence and issues related to service connection, rating, and TDIU.

The Veteran's COPD/bronchitis was restored to a 30 percent rating effective October 8, 2010.,For the period prior to October 8, 2010, and after that date, the Veteran is not entitled to an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for his COPD/bronchitis.

The Veteran's claim for cirrhosis of the liver was reopened and granted due to new evidence linking it to service. The claim for COPD, however, was denied as there is no link between the condition and herbicide exposure.,Service connection for cirrhosis of the liver was established based on presumed exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his service-connected adenocarcinoma and sleep apnea with COPD, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Board denied service connection for heart disease, lung cancer and COPD, prostate cancer, ECA (stroke), and ED due to herbicide exposure.,Service treatment records did not show any complaints or diagnoses related to the conditions. The Veteran's post-service medical records indicated diagnoses of these conditions but they were not within one year after discharge from service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and denied service connection for sinusitis. Service connection for COPD is remanded, while the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD remains on appeal.,Service connection for tinnitus was granted based on a finding that it began during service and persisted since. The Board found no evidence against this claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for respiratory disability and tremor disability are remanded due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors. The VA examiner did not adequately address the theories of entitlement raised by the Veteran, including those related to PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical opinions and new theories of entitlement, including burn pit exposure.

The Veteran's bad breathing, claimed as COPD, is not related to his military service and the claim for service connection has been denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to obtain an opinion as to whether the Veteran's COPD was caused or otherwise related to service on a direct basis, including as due to in-service treatment for sinus congestion and productive cough on June 18, 1967.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma and COPD are granted, but the cases are remanded to obtain addendum opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for respiratory conditions, including asthma and COPD, due to insufficient evidence regarding exposure to asbestos and herbicides. The Veteran's claims are pending further development.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for cirrhosis of liver and COPD has been dismissed as the Veteran and his attorney requested withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's COPD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has granted service connection for asthma, emphysema, and kidney disease related to asbestos exposure. Service connection is remanded for COPD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a migraine disability and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.