COPD decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to conflicting information regarding the Veteran's post-service occupational history, as well as potential exposure to toxic substances during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, respiratory disability (to include COPD, chronic bronchitis, and chronic cough), bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and diabetes mellitus type II are not supported by the evidence. The appeals have been remanded to allow further development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for COPD, bilateral hearing loss, residuals of a stroke, and heart disability are granted. The claim for COPD is granted on a presumptive basis under the PACT Act due to exposure in Southwest Asia. Claims for residuals of a stroke and heart disability remain pending as they may be granted on direct or other bases.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a respiratory disorder, including COPD, pleural effusions, and fibrosis, to include as due to exposure to herbicide agents. The case is being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's psychiatric and respiratory conditions and his military service. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for COPD, SMC based on need for aid and attendance, and SMC based on housebound status due to inadequate opinions regarding aggravation of COPD by other service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's DMII and hypertension were granted service connection due to in-service herbicide agent exposure.,Her glaucoma, sleep apnea, lung condition (including COPD and asthma), GERD, breast cancer, IBS, endocrinopathy, hypothyroidism, tinnitus, blood clots, heart condition, and bilateral hearing loss were all remanded for further development due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for congestive heart failure and COPD, as these conditions are related to herbicide exposure in-service. The VA is instructed to obtain new medical opinions regarding causation and aggravation of these disabilities by service-connected thrombocythemia progressing to myelofibrosis with splenomegaly.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and need for further examination regarding the Veteran's lung conditions, including COPD, pulmonary nodules, and ARD.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for 'spots on lungs' as due to herbicide exposure is granted. The claim of service connection for a back disability is remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for an increased rating for left knee osteoarthritis and service connection for COPD have been dismissed due to the Veteran's request to withdraw his appeal.