COPD decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for psychiatric disorder, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss with effective dates of December 20, 2018. An initial evaluation of 100 percent was granted for the psychiatric condition, while a higher rating for tinnitus was denied. SMC was also granted from that date.

The Board denied the readjudication of service connection for COPD but granted an initial 40% rating for a lumbar spine disability and separate 10% ratings for right elbow triceps tendinitis with limitation of flexion, supination, and pronation, as well as for left knee strain with limitation of extension.

The Board dismissed the claims for service connection for rhinitis and acute sinusitis, as well as denied increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and COPD.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and a vocal cord condition, as well as the claim for a compensable disability rating for spontaneous pneumothorax and entitlement to TDIU, for additional development.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, thrombocytopenia, GERD, and Barrett's esophagus as they are not related to the Veteran's service or toxic exposures.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for glaucoma, COPD, and basal cell carcinoma of the left eyelid to ensure adequate development and medical opinions are obtained.

The appeal is dismissed due to the death of the Appellant, who was substituted to continue his appeal.

The Board granted service connection for COPD on a direct basis and denied the claim for a left arm disability.

The Board remands the claim for service connection of the Veteran's cause of death to obtain a medical opinion on direct service connection, including conceded exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The appeal seeking a compensable rating for COPD was dismissed due to an improper concurrent election of multiple review options.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to obtain a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents.

The appeal for service connection for COPD was dismissed as it was not properly initiated and the condition has already been granted under the PACT Act.

The Board granted an effective date of December 29, 2022, for the grant of service connection for COPD/asbestosis.

The Board denied service connection for bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and right lung collapse as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board granted an effective date of May 01, 2023, for the grant of a 100 percent disability evaluation for a lung disability.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for COPD, emphysema, and lung nodules.

The Board denied service connection for chronic pulmonary embolism, basal cell carcinoma of the left lower extremity, prostate cancer, and COPD as there was no credible evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active military service.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for asthma with emphysema and COPD, as the Veteran's condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The appeal of entitlement to service connection for COPD and sleep apnea was dismissed as premature, while the issue of a right shoulder condition is remanded for further development.

The appeal of entitlement to service connection for COPD and sleep apnea was dismissed as premature, while the issue of a right shoulder condition is remanded for further development.