COPD decisions — 2025

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for hypertension and service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), finding no evidence of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more or systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more during the appeal period, and no nexus between COPD and in-service events.

The Board remands the claims for an earlier effective date and increased rating for COPD due to a need for additional medical evidence regarding service connection on a direct basis.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and emphysema.

The Board remands the claim for a respiratory disability to include COPD, emphysema, and restrictive lung disease for further development as the RO did not substantially comply with previous Board directives.

The Board denied service connection for cervical dysplasia, tension headaches, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), and denied increased ratings for right elbow flexion, supination and pronation, extension, and scars. The Board also remanded claims for fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and irritable bowel syndrome.

The Board denied service connection for a lung disability, to include as due to asbestos exposure. The back and psychiatric issues were remanded.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for partial prostatectomy scars and remanded the claims for service connection, increased rating for MDD, and TDIU due to duty to assist errors.

The Board granted a 30 percent disability rating for COPD prior to July 2, 2024, and denied a higher rating of 60 percent from that date. For PTSD, the Board granted a 70 percent rating prior to July 2, 2024, but denied a higher rating from that date.

The Board denied service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and emphysema as there was no current diagnosis of these conditions during the appeal period.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for lung disability other than COPD, sinus infection, allergies and hypersensitivity, and COPD due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board denied an initial compensable disability rating for service-connected COPD and denied earlier effective dates for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA).

The Board granted a 30 percent rating for vertigo and dismissed the appeal for service connection for anxiety, while remanding claims for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and total disability based upon individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as the evidence did not support a finding that COPD had its onset in service or was otherwise related to service.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to obtain a medical opinion addressing the possibility of a nexus between the claimed disability and exposure to diesel fuel from airplanes and fumes from heaters used in tents during cold weather.

The Board remands the claim for a respiratory disability to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding its etiology, specifically addressing potential herbicide agent exposure.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, melanoma basal squamous, nasopharynx cysts, submucosal stomach tumors or lesions, and myelofibrosis grade 1 as no new and relevant evidence was submitted to support these claims.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypertension, and a prostate condition due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board remands the claim for a VA examination to address all respiratory disabilities found or shown during the appeal period and to determine their relationship to service, including exposure to toxic or environmental hazards.

The Board granted service connection for COPD, left and right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance. A compensable rating for COPD was denied.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their relationship to in-service asbestos exposure.