COPD decisions — 2026

The Veteran's service-connected open angle glaucoma is granted. The claim for an increased rating for COPD remains denied, as the severity of his condition does not warrant a higher than 30 percent rating. The Veteran's hypertension is now rated at 10 percent, but no higher.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for tinnitus, liver disorder (MASLD), and COPD are remanded due to incomplete or inadequate evidence. The claim for service connection is also remanded.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection of an inguinal hernia as it is not a new issue, and the Veteran's COPD does not meet the criteria for special home adaptation.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical spine disorders, radiculopathies of the upper and lower extremities, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, COPD, GERD, gastroparesis, diverticulosis, rhinitis, OSA, left ankle disorder, and left foot disorder have been granted. The claims are based on presumptive service connection due to exposure to noise during service.

The Board has remanded the claims of asthma, pulmonary edema, COPD, vascular disease, dementia, and gastroenteritis due to a lack of evidence regarding service connection.

The Veteran's cause of death was not related to service or exposure to an herbicide agent in service, and a service-connected disability did not contribute substantially or materially to cause death.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error and will require an examination to assess the nature and etiology of the Veteran's respiratory disability, including COPD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current COPD disability is related to his active service, including exposure to toxic substances during his Navy service. Service connection for COPD is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety, depression, insomnia, and COPD due to a lack of VA examinations addressing these conditions. The claim is being returned to provide such evaluations.

The Veteran's SMC is denied as he does not have a separate and distinct disability rated at 50 percent or more, which would be required for the intermediate step of SMC(p).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD is granted. The claims for a compensable disability rating for residuals of a right ring finger disability and service connection for a right foot disability are dismissed.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current condition is related to in-service noise exposure. The respiratory disability claim was denied as there is no evidence linking it to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current COPD disability is causally related to his in-service exposure to toxic substances, including jet fuel and other hazardous materials. As such, service connection for COPD is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA medical opinions regarding the Veteran's lung disability, specifically his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune and/or toxic exposure risk activity.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors, specifically the failure to obtain adequate VA medical opinions regarding his exposure to burn pits and herbicide agents in Vietnam. The case will be reconsidered with new medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for pre-diabetes, chronic back pain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy have all been denied.,Service connection for a respiratory condition (to include COPD, chronic cough, and dyspnea) and a left lung nodule has also been denied.

The Board has granted eligibility to attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in a June 2024 rating decision for service connection of COPD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that it was not incurred in or etiologically related to his military service, including his participation in toxic exposure risk activities (TERA). The decision is based on conflicting medical opinions and the Veteran's long history of smoking.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, bladder cancer, heart condition, and melanoma due to a lack of VA examinations and insufficient evidence regarding exposure to herbicide agents and radiation. The AOJ is instructed to verify the Veteran's claimed exposures and schedule him for VA examinations.

The Veteran's ACOS is at least as likely as not aggravated by his service. Service connection for ACOS on a direct basis is granted.