COPD decisions — 2026

The Board has granted service connection for COPD, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his military duties as a cannon crewman and exposure to particulate matter during service.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) has been granted and the benefits have already been awarded. As such, there is no longer an issue to appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD was granted effective April 26, 2023, based on the PACT Act and exposure to toxic environmental risks during military service. The effective date is one year prior to the receipt of his Intent to File (ITF) on April 26, 2024.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for asthma, bronchitis, and COPD due to incomplete medical opinions and a need for further examination. The Veteran's exposure to jet fuel and hydraulic fluid in service is considered.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination regarding various service-connected conditions, including left knee, shoulder, hip, ED, OSA, skin condition (dystrophic toenails), and lung condition (COPD). The effective date of service connection remains August 16, 2018.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's respiratory conditions, including COPD, bronchiectasis, and pulmonary fibrosis. The VA must obtain an addendum opinion addressing these issues.

The Veteran's COPD is rated at 10 percent, as the evidence does not show FEV-1 of 56- to 70-percent predicted or DLCO (SB) 56- to 65-percent predicted.

The Veteran's COPD, emphysema, neck disability (claimed as neck spinal arthritis), thoracic compression fractures, liver condition (claimed as cirrhosis), skin cancer, shortness of breath, pulmonary embolisms, hypothyroidism, hypogonadism, hypertension, and glaucoma are remanded for further evaluation due to exposure to herbicide agents at Fort McLellan.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected asthma, COPD, and sleep apnea prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment before May 27, 2021.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple conditions has been dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether his COPD is directly related to his active duty service in Southwest Asia. The decision does not establish a presumption of service connection due to exposure to burn pits.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD. The appeal regarding sleep apnea is remanded.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have current residuals of heat injuries, and the claims for a respiratory disorder (exercise induced asthma and/or COPD) and an acquired psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder) are remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral hearing loss, left lower and right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, left shoulder fracture of proximal humerus, status post ORIF, liver condition, and erectile dysfunction have all been denied.,Effective August 21, 2023, the Veteran was granted effective dates for service connection for left hip degenerative arthritis, other than post-traumatic, limitation of flexion; right hip degenerative arthritis, other than post-traumatic, limitation of flexion; left hip degenerative arthritis, other than post-traumatic, thigh, impairment of; and right hip degenerative arthritis, other than post-traumatic, thigh, impairment of.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is remanded due to a duty to assist error. The Board requires an opinion regarding the etiology of OSA, including consideration of toxic exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's cause of death was related to his exposure to herbicide agents while serving in Vietnam. The appellant must provide additional evidence to support her claim.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, specifically regarding the Veteran's exposure to burn pits and other airborne chemicals during his deployment to Honduras. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a respiratory disability, including COPD, chronic bronchitis, and difficulty breathing.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for COPD and pulmonary HTN due to a duty-to-assist error in failing to obtain a medical opinion regarding toxic exposures other than Agent Orange. The AOJ is required to verify the Veteran's exposure to toxins at Fort Dix and Fort McGuire, issue a formal finding memorandum if necessary, and provide a VA medical opinion addressing whether COPD and pulmonary HTN are related to service due to these exposures.