COPD decisions — 2026

The Veteran's request to readjudicate the claim for service connection of a right hand condition has been granted.,Service connection is granted for allergic rhinitis, with the presumption that it was aggravated by active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD is remanded due to a duty to assist error. The Board requests an addendum opinion from a pulmonologist or clinician with appropriate expertise to determine if the Veteran's COPD is etiologically related to his VA conceded TERA exposure, including exposure to TCDD, jet fuel and engine exhaust, hazardous chemicals, lead, vehicle engine exhaust fumes, chemical vapors, oily/hazardous waste, chemical solvents, and compressed gases.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his COPD with ILD, specifically bronchiectasis and pulmonary nodules as it is a freestanding claim that cannot be filed after a final decision.

The Veteran's COPD was evaluated and found not to meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating based on the provided pulmonary function test results. The Board denied the claim as there is no evidence of service connection or exposure basis that would warrant a higher rating.

The appeal of service connection for COPD is remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory condition, including COPD with emphysema (claimed as lung condition due to exposure of asbestos due to MOS), is remanded. The VA will provide an examination and obtain medical opinions regarding whether any diagnosed respiratory conditions are related to military service, particularly given the Veteran's in-service exposure to asbestos.

The Veteran's hypertension is not rated as compensable, as there is no history of diastolic pressure above 100.,Service connection for COPD and GERD are denied due to lack of in-service disease or injury.

The Veteran's respiratory condition, including COPD, is remanded due to errors in obtaining SSA records and an inadequate TERA memo. The Board finds the AOJ erred by not attempting to obtain relevant SSA records and by relying on an incomplete TERA memo.

The Veteran's COPD with pulmonary fibrosis and moderate restrictive lung disease was rated at 100 percent effective August 17, 2018. The Veteran also received an earlier effective date for basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) based on the same rating.

The Board has determined that there are duty-to-assist errors in the rating decisions and remands the claims for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with PDD and ADHD, TDIU and SMC, and service connection for COPD to include as secondary to latent tuberculosis.

The Veteran's current skin conditions, including basal cell carcinoma, COPD, sleep apnea, GERD, DVT, pulmonary embolism, right upper extremity neuropathy, left upper extremity neuropathy, and cervical spine disability are not related to his service-connected disabilities or his conceded TERAs.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension due to lack of a causal relationship with in-service exposure, and the claim for COPD is remanded as VA failed to reschedule diagnostic testing despite the Veteran's efforts.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to his death during the appeal process.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left leg shin splints, right leg shin splints, joint pain (claimed as arthritis), sleep apnea, fatigue, neck condition, acne, and lung condition. The evidence did not show a current disability or link to military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cause of death, finding that there is no competent evidence linking any principal or contributory cause of his death to his service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome, and headaches have been denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for heart condition, BPH, COPD, and hypertension are remanded due to the lack of evidence regarding his exposure to toxic substances during military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for COPD, PTSD, hepatitis C, TDIU, and temporary total disability evaluation due to a failure to address his timely request for higher-level review of the July 2018 rating decision.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are granted as service-connected.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, to include COPD, is not resolved and requires further development due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's hepatitis B was granted an initial 10 percent evaluation prior to May 17, 2024, and a 20 percent evaluation thereafter. The Veteran's COPD is not service-connected.