COPD Board decisions

The Veteran withdrew his claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for COPD was denied as the March 2007 Board decision became final, and no new claims were filed between that decision and February 22, 2012.,The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for COPD prior to March 26, 2021, and on and after March 26, 2021, was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.,The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for ED was denied as the current rating criteria do not allow for a compensable rating.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD, finding that the evidence is in approximate balance and resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's COPD has been rated at 10 percent since May 20, 2015. The Board is remanding the case due to a lack of complete medical records from December 2017 and 2018 that were in existence at the time of the October 2019 rating decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his claim for bipolar disorder and the issues of COPD, hypertension, left knee condition, bilateral hearing loss, and left elbow disability are being remanded due to procedural errors.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection due to the Veteran's death, and no jurisdiction remains to adjudicate these claims.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death due to cardiac arrest, congestive heart failure, hypertension, and COPD. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to the Veteran's active service.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for a separate disability rating for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that his symptoms were adequately addressed under the current 50 percent rating assigned for COPD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between the condition and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied due to his failure to report for VA examinations without providing good cause.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD was denied, but the decision to grant service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is upheld. The heart disability issue has been remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD, finding that the Veteran's exposure to jet fuel during his military service contributed to his current condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of medical evidence linking the Veteran's COPD to his service, including potential exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam and contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the previously denied claims for service connection for a back disability, pseudofolliculitis barbae, erectile dysfunction, left hip disability, right hip disability, disability of the peripheral nerves of the left lower extremity, disability of the peripheral nerves of the right lower extremity, GERD, and prostate. The Veteran's current disabilities are being readjudicated.

The Board denied service connection for COPD and granted a 10 percent rating for asbestosis, but did not address the Veteran's claims in detail.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a thick heart disability, COPD, and right ear hearing loss have been dismissed due to untimely filing of the VA Form 10182.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of private medical records related to the Veteran's respiratory condition. The claim for service connection for COPD will be reconsidered with these records.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for COPD is being remanded due to inadequate notice of his upcoming VA examination, which resulted in the December 2023 VA examination report lacking PFT results. The Board will schedule him for an updated examination at his current address.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for COPD, left thumb disability, and SMC has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.