COPD decisions — 2026

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD does not meet or approximate the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent, as there is no evidence showing FEV-1 of 40 to 55 percent predicted, FEV-1/FVC of 40 to 55 percent, DLCO (SB) of 40 to 55 percent predicted or maximum oxygen consumption of 15 to 20 ml/kg/min with cardiorespiratory limit.

The Veteran's service connection claim for COPD on a presumptive basis pursuant to the PACT Act is granted. The effective date of this award cannot be prior to August 10, 2022, the effective date of the PACT Act. However, the matter of service connection based on a theory other than the PACT Act is remanded.

The Veteran's COPD and CHF are granted as service-connected due to exposure to Agent Orange during military service.,A noncompensable rating for hypertension is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for COPD has been withdrawn and is dismissed.

The Board has decided that the Veteran is eligible to receive past-due benefits awarded in a February 6, 2025 rating decision. However, due to an error in not documenting these past-due benefits, the case is being remanded for further action.

The Veteran's COPD with left side diaphragm paralysis is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and medical nexus opinion regarding his exposure to toxic agents during service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that his current diagnosis is at least as likely as not due to exposure to herbicides during service. The decision also vacates the previous remand regarding a respiratory disability.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, mal de denbarquement syndrome (MDDS), and respiratory disability to allow for further development.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and remanded the claim for a respiratory disorder due to insufficient evidence in the VA examination report.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, and a respiratory condition due to insufficient evidence. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for tremors, respiratory disorder, and heart disorder are granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of these conditions and credible evidence linking them to his military service, including exposure to herbicide agents. However, there is no medical opinion supporting a direct link between the Veteran's diagnosed conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal of the May 30, 2023 rating decision that granted service connection for deviated septum at zero percent effective March 3, 2022 and denied service connection for neck disability, back disability, COPD, and hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board has granted a TDIU effective November 10, 1998. The Veteran's service-connected conditions of COPD, GERD, and skin disorders have rendered him unemployable since at least that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is etiologically linked to service, and thus grants service connection for COPD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and medical opinion regarding the etiology of his respiratory disabilities, including whether they are related to service or any incident of service.

The Veteran was granted an effective date of October 7, 2021 for the award of a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities. He also received an effective date of December 21, 2023 for basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA).,The Veteran's service-connected conditions prevented him from securing and following any substantially gainful employment as of October 7, 2021.

Your appeal for service connection of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The Board cannot issue a decision on this claim as it is no longer pending.

The Board denied service connection for COPD with emphysema, finding that the Veteran's condition is not related to his military service or exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The claim was based on presumed exposure to toxic chemicals and asbestos during his time as an aviation structural mechanic.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hand disability, right knee meniscal tear with degenerative arthritis, scoliosis, lumbosacral strain, COPD, and asthma. The appeals are dismissed due to lack of a current disability for right hand disability.