COPD decisions — 2024

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is related to her active service exposure to secondhand smoke, and thus service connection for COPD is granted.

The Veteran's lung cancer is granted service connection based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during active duty.,Service connection for prostate cancer is dismissed due to the Veteran not filing a VA Form 10182 within one year of receiving notification of the decision.

The Veteran's COPD is granted under the PACT Act, but a remand is required to consider service connection on other bases and obtain full military personnel records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD was granted with an effective date of December 6, 2021. The claims for diabetes and hypertension were remanded due to duty to assist errors.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for COPD and a TDIU are being remanded due to procedural errors in the decision-making process. The AOJ must obtain a PFT for the period on appeal and clarify the Veteran's employment history.

The Board has granted service connection for a respiratory disorder, including COPD and restrictive lung disease, associated with TERA participation.

The Veteran's COPD is granted as service-connected due to in-service exposure to particulate matter pollution, and the Board finds that this exposure caused his current condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the Veteran's COPD and its relation to service, specifically Operation Hardtack. The VA needs to provide a new examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his service-connected COPD substantially or materially contributed to his death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disability other than allergic rhinitis, including sinusitis, COPD, and emphysema. The issues of service connection for a skin disability and TDIU prior to September 15, 2017 are also pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the Veteran's respiratory disorder and its relationship to service, particularly exposure to air conditioning and tropical climates in service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD alone rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation from December 22, 2022. The Board granted entitlement to a TDIU due to this condition.

The Veteran's left knee disability, diagnosed as mild-to-moderate tricompartmental degenerative changes in the left knee, is granted. The Board also remanded for VA TERA examinations to determine if her respiratory issues and other disabilities are related to her exposure to asbestos and PFOA/PFOS during service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of medical opinion regarding the Veteran's causes of death and service connection for cause of death. The VA examiner failed to address whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him so helpless as to require the regular aid and attendance of another person, resulting in a grant of SMC based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's COPD is granted on a presumptive basis under the PACT Act due to exposure to burn pits during service.

The appeal has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA medical opinions regarding the Veteran's esophageal cancer and pulmonary disorders, including COPD, empyemas, fibrothorax, and severe restrictive lung disease with COPD. The AOJ is required to obtain new VA medical opinions addressing these issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and additional development is required, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a qualified medical professional regarding the Veteran's cause of death.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for COPD and CAD are being remanded due to procedural errors in obtaining medical records and the need for an addendum opinion regarding heart failure symptoms.