COPD decisions — 2026

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is related to in-service asbestos exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's eligibility for PCAFC is remanded due to a lack of an adequate medical opinion supporting the denial. The VA must obtain an updated opinion from the CEAT regarding whether the Veteran requires personal care services, supervision or protection based on symptoms or residuals of neurological or other impairment or injury, and needs regular extensive instruction or supervision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle condition and COPD, as both conditions are claimed to be related to his service-connected disabilities. The VA examinations provided were inadequate due to lack of proper rationale and consideration of secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for headache, hypertension, and COPD due to a duty-to-assist error. The Veteran's headaches are not considered a current disability, while his hypertension and COPD may be related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for tuberculosis and its residuals, COPD, and fatigue due to inadequate development of evidence. The Veteran contends that these conditions are related to his service-connected TB.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for diarrhea, claimed as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), due to insufficient medical opinions addressing its relationship to service. The Veteran's claims for CFS and COPD remain denied.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for COPD with emphysema prior to January 29, 2024, and his request for an earlier effective date for service connection were both denied. The Board found that the earliest applicable date of claim was September 22, 2022, but entitlement did not arise until April 21, 2024.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disability and the cause of death, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between the Veteran's current respiratory disabilities and his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for asbestosis with COPD due to asbestos exposure during active duty.

Service connection for COPD is granted effective August 10, 2022, pursuant to the PACT Act. Service connection for COPD prior to that date is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to duty-to-assist errors, and requests an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of his chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, benign prostatic hyperplasia with lower urinary tract symptoms, and hypertension.

The Veteran's respiratory disorder, including bronchitis, COPD, and atelectasis, is rated at 100% effective January 12, 2024. Service connection for heart disability, obstructive sleep apnea, and pneumonia has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic bronchitis is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,Service connection for emphysema and COPD is granted on a presumptive basis pursuant to the PACT Act due to exposure to burn pits during active duty in Kuwait.,Service connection for asthma is granted based on presumed exposure to fine particulate matter during service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations.,The claim for service connection for OSA is denied as there is no established link between the Veteran's symptoms and his military service, including exposure to burn pits.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and compensable ratings are being remanded due to procedural errors in the decision-making process.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted. Service connection for left ear hearing loss, hyperlipidemia, right ear hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, COPD, and skin cancer are denied.,The Veteran's service records do not support the grant of service connection for any of these conditions.

The Veteran was awarded a 100% rating for PTSD, special monthly compensation based on housebound criteria, and eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance effective January 12, 2024. The Appellant is eligible for the direct payment of attorney fees in the amount of 20 percent of past-due benefits awarded.

The Board has denied service connection for peripheral vascular disease. The issues of service connection for emphysema, COPD, congestive heart failure, hypertension, and pulmonary vascular disease (idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension) are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and failure to address specific circumstances.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to November 8, 2022 for COPD was dismissed due to a prohibited concurrent election.,Service connection for degenerative changes of the spine with mild dextroscoliosis (claimed as spinal arthritis, back) was granted in full and is no longer for appellate review.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for ulcerative colitis was dismissed because there is no current diagnosis or functional impairment due to this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in VA's pre-decisional duty to assist, specifically regarding the Veteran's exposure to burn pits and other toxins under the PACT Act. The Veteran will need a TERA Memorandum and a VA examination to determine if his COPD is related to service or any incident of service.