COPD decisions — 2025

The appeal for the direct payment of attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in a February 2024 rating decision is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for service connection for COPD, as it was granted on a presumptive basis under the PACT Act and August 10, 2022, is the earliest possible effective date.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for back disability, service connection for various disabilities, and readjudication of the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board remands the matter of entitlement to service connection for breathing difficulties or a respiratory disability, including asthma, COPD, chronic bronchitis, asbestosis, and chronic sinusitis, due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) due to asbestos exposure, as an adequate medical opinion has not been obtained.

The Board denied service connection for a pancreatic condition, COPD, a gallbladder condition, and a liver condition as the evidence did not support their diagnosis or that they were related to the Veteran's military service. The claim for an increased rating for hypothyroidism was also denied.

The Board remands the claim for an initial compensable rating for sarcoidosis to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error and obtain an adequate examination.

The appeal for a rating in excess of 50 percent for migraine headaches was dismissed due to untimeliness, while the claim for COPD is remanded for further development.

The Board granted service connection for COPD, interstitial pulmonary fibrosis, and emphysema based on the Veteran's active military service.

The Board dismissed the appeal as it does not have jurisdiction to review the claim for service connection for hypertension or the proposed reduction in rating for COPD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for OSA with bronchitis, asthma, and COPD.

The Board denied service connection for early-onset peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities on a presumptive basis, but granted secondary service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and an increased 10 percent rating for atrial flutter.,The Board remanded several issues including service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, Parkinson's disease, peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities (both direct and secondary), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, coronary artery disease with implanted cardiac pacemaker, PTSD, hypertension, and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral lung disability, to include COPD, and carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity due to a lack of evidence showing current disabilities related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as the evidence did not support its onset during active service or a link to in-service herbicide exposure.

The Board remands the claims for service connection due to outstanding records of private treatment and a lack of VA medical opinions.

The Board granted service connection for bladder cancer based on herbicide exposure and remanded the claims for COPD, lung cancer evaluation, and TDIU.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 30 percent disabling for COPD as the Veteran's condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating during the review period.

The Board denied service connection for Paragonimus westermani or schistosomiasis and remanded the claims for multiple nodules of the lungs, COPD, and emphysema.

The Board remands the Veteran's claim for a respiratory disability, to include a sinus disability and COPD, as it did not substantially comply with previous remand instructions.

The Board granted service connection for chronic sinusitis on a presumptive basis and denied service connection for allergic rhinitis. The claims for posttraumatic stress disorder, hypertension, COPD, and entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability are remanded.