COPD decisions — 2026

The Veteran's service-connected splenectomy is granted for COPD and bilateral upper and lower extremity weakness, with a rating of 30 percent.

The Board has determined that there was a duty to assist error in the initial decision and has remanded the case for further development, including TERA development and clarification of PFT results.

The Board has granted the appellant's petitions to readjudicate her claims for service connection for heart disabilities and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder. However, both claims are remanded due to new evidence submitted since the last decision.

The Veteran seeks service connection for COPD, claiming it is related to in-service exposures. The VA failed to provide an adequate examination and medical nexus opinion before the decision on appeal, so the case must be remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his service-connected disabilities, as well as the relationship between his current conditions and military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of an adequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's COPD and his in-service exposure to Agent Orange. The AOJ is required to obtain an addendum opinion addressing these issues.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for COPD with right upper calcification granuloma, finding that there was no evidence linking the Veteran's condition to his asbestos exposure or service. The primary cause of death (STEMI) was not related to the Veteran's asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bladder cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate these claims as they are pending.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his attorney, and the Board is dismissing the case.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Service connection for hypertension was also denied, with the Board finding that the Veteran did not have hypertension during service and that it did not manifest within one year post-service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD with bronchitis is granted from September 19, 2023. However, the issue of an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected COPD with bronchitis is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance due to service-connected PTSD, effective from March 20, 2017. The decision is subject to controlling regulations governing the payment of monetary awards.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for depression, a neck disability, and COPD due to insufficient evidence.,Service connection is denied for groin disability as there is no persuasive medical or lay evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, and a respiratory condition (claimed as COPD) due to inadequate examinations and development of evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for COPD, bilateral foot disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral tinnitus due to pre-existing medical opinions that did not consider the Veteran's in-service exposure or symptoms.

The Veteran's asthma and right ankle disability claims are remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence.,The Veteran's COPD claim is remanded as there are insufficient VA treatment records available at this time.,The Veteran's right shoulder, low back, right knee, and left knee disabilities are all remanded due to incomplete or inadequate examination reports.,Service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder disability is remanded because no relevant medical evidence was obtained from her primary care physician.,The Veteran's low back and right ankle disability claims are remanded as there were insufficient VA examinations conducted.,The Veteran's right knee and left knee disabilities are remanded due to incomplete or inadequate examination reports.

The Veteran's appeal for GERD was withdrawn by the appellant, resulting in its dismissal.,There is no evidence of chronic UTIs during or prior to the pendency of the claim. The Board also found that there is insufficient evidence to support a diagnosis of chronic UTIs based on the provided medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence.,New and relevant evidence has been submitted, and readjudication is warranted for all issues related to service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is in need of personal care services for a minimum of six continuous months due to his PTSD and COPD, which require supervision. The PCAFC eligibility determination needs to be reconsidered based on whether participation would be in the Veteran's best interest.