COPD decisions — 2024

The Board has denied service connection for ischemic heart disease, prostate cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The claim of service connection for myasthenia gravis as secondary to herbicide exposure is remanded.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for various respiratory and skin conditions due to exposure in Southwest Asia, as they are presumed based on the PACT Act. The Veteran's asthma is granted presumptively.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder other than asthma and COPD (to include bronchitis) due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's chronic bronchitis is related to service, including presumed exposure to fine particulate matter.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is aggravated by his service-connected chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The Board has denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there is no evidence linking any condition to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's COPD, which is currently diagnosed in addition to asthma.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's COPD is granted as service connected due to presumed exposure to burn pits under the PACT Act, and no other theories of entitlement are considered.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD has been reopened and remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea to include as secondary to a service-connected right knee disability (with intermediary obesity) has been reopened and remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include major depression and PTSD, as secondary to a service-connected right knee condition has been reopened and remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD prior to August 10, 2022 is being remanded due to insufficient evidence on the etiology of his respiratory disorder.,VA treatment records indicate a possible link between burn pit exposure and COPD, but lack sufficient rationale.

The Veteran's depression and anxiety are granted on a secondary basis, while tinnitus is granted. High cholesterol, left leg disability (apart from service-connected left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy), right leg disability (apart from service-connected right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy), coronary artery disease (CAD), erectile dysfunction, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hypertension, and thyroid disability are all denied. The Veteran's sleep apnea, headaches, and TDIU claims are remanded.

Service connection for COPD is granted under the PACT Act, and service connection for sleep apnea is remanded. The Veteran's hearing loss claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of various conditions due to new evidence being added to the record after the January 2020 SOC. The Veteran is asked to waive AOJ review of this additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions and incomplete development of service records, particularly regarding the Veteran's exposure during active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and remanded the issues of service connection for tinnitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and hepatitis C. Service connection for hepatitis C was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's COPD is denied as there is no competent evidence to support a finding of a nexus between the condition and his time in service, including exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's death was caused by coronary artery disease, which is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure at Apra Harbor in Guam. Service connection for the cause of death under the PACT Act is granted. DIC benefits are denied as the Veteran did not have any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD was dismissed. The claims for service connection for a throat condition, including throat cancer; diabetes mellitus; bilateral knee disabilities; lumbosacral strain; and COPD were all denied as new and material evidence had not been received to reopen these claims.

The appeal for service connection of a respiratory disorder, including COPD and chronic bronchitis, secondary to hepatitis C is dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasoning and lack of an addendum opinion addressing the Veteran's respiratory disorder. The claim will be reconsidered with a new examination and medical opinion regarding herbicide agent exposure.