COPD decisions — 2025

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for scar, status post lobectomy was granted as a painful scar. The claim for a compensable rating for lung cancer with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was denied.

The Board remands the issue of entitlement to service connection for a respiratory disability, including COPD and emphysema, due to an inadequate VA examination that failed to consider the Veteran's in-service respiratory symptoms and burn pit exposure.

The Board granted service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and hypertension, secondary to asthma.

The Board granted service connection for left lower extremity neuropathy, right lower extremity neuropathy, erectile dysfunction, a skin disability diagnosed as dermatitis, and COPD, all secondary to in-service exposure to toxins including herbicides. The initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Board remands the claims for service connection and special monthly compensation due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to provide proper notice for scheduled examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his service-connected COPD, as the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board granted a 30 percent rating for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) prior to June 12, 2024, and denied all other claims including service connection for various respiratory conditions.

The Board granted service connection for emphysema, hypertension, and a bilateral foot disability, as well as an increased rating of 70 percent for persistent depressive disorder from May 30, 2017.

The Board remands the claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for cause of death, as a VA opinion was not obtained regarding whether COPD or any other condition that contributed to the Veteran's death was at least as likely as not directly caused by his service.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), emphysema, and left shoulder degenerative arthritis to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error and to satisfy a regulatory or statutory duty that may aid in substantiating the Veteran's claims.

The Board granted service connection for lung cancer, but remanded the claims for COPD, emphysema, bilateral feet condition to include nails, acquired psychiatric disability, and TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), a depressive disorder, left and right upper extremity cervical radiculopathy, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as well as higher ratings for the service-connected left and right knee disabilities and scars.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for COPD to obtain a VA examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's condition, as well as an opinion under the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxins Act of 2022 (PACT Act).

The Board granted service connection for hypertension and remanded the claims for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and emphysema.

The appeal of entitlement to service connection for COPD was dismissed due to the untimely filing of the Notice of Disagreement.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for emphysema, COPD, and sinusitis due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board remands the claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for sarcoidosis to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board found that new and relevant evidence had not been received to support the veteran's claims for service connection for melanoma, sarcoma, basal cell carcinoma, COPD, and sinusitis.

The Board granted service connection for chronic bronchitis and COPD, both related to burn pit exposure during the Veteran's service in Vietnam.

The Board denied service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as there was no evidence of a nexus between the condition and the Veteran's active duty, including herbicide exposure.