COPD decisions — 2026

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for COPD was dismissed due to their death before the hearing could be conducted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a respiratory disorder, including claims related to asbestos exposure and claimed ionizing radiation exposure. The evidence did not support a link between any in-service exposures and the current diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate TERA memorandum and the need for a VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's death was related to service exposure.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for stiff heart muscle causing shortness of breath and COPD, finding that there is no evidence to support a causal relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of respiratory disability (including COPD and asthma), chest pain disability (including costochondritis), and right shoulder arthritis, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's cause of death was determined to be due to COPD, but the Board found no evidence linking this condition to his service or exposure to herbicide agents. As such, service connection for the cause of death is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for COPD and OSA due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors, specifically regarding missing VA treatment records from the Community Care program. The Veteran's exposure to burn pits during active duty is a relevant factor in determining whether these conditions are related to his military service.

Service connection for COPD and bronchitis obliterans is granted due to the PACT Act presumption. Service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected PTSD is also granted.

The rating reduction from 100 percent to 10 percent for lung cancer with right lobectomy and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was not proper, and the 100 percent rating is restored effective January 18, 2023.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, including asthma, COPD, and OSA, finding no evidence of such disabilities during or related to his military service.

The Veteran's COPD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has denied a higher rating. The case is also remanded for consideration of a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for COPD is denied as the evidence does not show that his FEV-1 most accurately reflects his level of disability, and there are no new or relevant evidence submitted after the November 2020 decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that there was no evidence showing a link between his in-service exposure and current condition. The decision also noted that the Veteran had a long history of smoking which is considered more likely to be the cause of his COPD.

The Veteran's COPD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board found that it does not warrant a higher rating based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but no higher. The other conditions are granted with service connection based on in-service exposure.

The Board has denied service connection for COPD and asthma, finding that the evidence does not support a link to military service or asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service and has been granted.,The Veteran's kidney cancer and residuals are related to his military service and have been granted.,The Veteran's COPD is related to his military service, specifically exposure to toxic substances like TCDD and asbestos. The claim for COPD remains pending due to the need for a remand.,The Veteran's OSA is related to his military service, specifically exposure to toxic substances like TCDD and asbestos. The claim for OSA remains pending due to the need for a remand.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an adequate VA medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's COPD and his service, including in-service treatment for strep throat with cough in November 1964.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pulmonary disability, including asthma and COPD, is causally related to his toxic exposure risk activity during service. The decision grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's cause of death, including pneumonia and COPD, is being remanded to determine if it was due to exposure to jet fuel during service.