COPD Board decisions

The Veteran's asbestosis with COPD is rated at 60 percent since August 20, 2007.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed COPD is at least as likely as not related to his military service, including exposure to burn pits during deployment in Afghanistan. As a result, the claim for service connection for COPD is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for eligibility for a special home adaptation grant as they do not result in blindness, anatomical loss or use of both hands, partial or full thickness burns, or inhalation injury residuals.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD with bronchitis and asthma was denied in February 2007, but he appealed the decision. The Board granted service connection effective from February 6, 2006, and increased the rating to 60% effective May 14, 2012. The Veteran requested an earlier effective date for COPD with bronchitis and asthma, but this was denied.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted with a 10% rating. The PTSD with alcohol use disorder and COPD are denied as not warranting an increased rating.

The Veteran's sleep apnea with COPD is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board found no evidence to support a higher rating due to lack of respiratory failure or tracheostomy.

The appellant withdrew her appeal for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (also claimed as lung infection loss of lung). The Board dismissed the appeal.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the Board denied service connection for cause of death due to COPD.

The Veteran's scar on the upper right back was granted service connection, while his claims for tinnitus, periodontal disease, tuberculosis, common variable immunodeficiency (CVID), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), sarcoidosis, headaches, dementia, and chronic diarrhea were denied. The claim for service connection of bronchiectasis is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for emphysema and COPD is being remanded due to the need for clarification of a medical opinion regarding the role of TERA exposures in his condition.

The appeal of the right wrist disorder claim is dismissed. The claims for cervical and/or lumbar spine disorder, diabetes mellitus Type II (DM II), respiratory/pulmonary disorder other than asthma and allergic rhinitis, cholecystectomy disease, and body joint pain are all granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a new medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's respiratory disorders and considering his chemical exposures during service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left ear hearing loss has been denied as his current level of disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Board is remanding the issues of service connection for low back disability, coronary artery disease (CAD), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's National Guard service dates.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and the Board dismissed the case as a result.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause of death and potential service connection for underlying conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis, COPD, and sinusitis due to a lack of VA examinations in support of these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss but has remanded the claim of service connection for COPD due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is denied. The Veteran's asthma with COPD is rated at 100 percent effective November 1, 2023. The Veteran's TDIU claim as of November 1, 2023, is dismissed due to the grant of a 100% disability rating for his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a lung condition was dismissed because the Notice of Disagreement (VA Form 10182) was not filed within one year from the date of the issuance of a notice for a rating decision that adjudicated the issue.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for chronic kidney disease and COPD were denied due to his failure to appear at scheduled VA examinations without showing good cause.