COPD Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD and osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine due to additional development being necessary, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of COPD is granted. The claim for service connection of OSA is remanded due to failure to substantially comply with the July 2020 Board decision.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a respiratory disorder (claimed as asthma and COPD), and Parkinson's disease. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has found new and relevant evidence submitted in connection with the supplemental claim, warranting readjudication of the claim for service connection for COPD.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of more than 30 percent for asthma was denied. Service connection for COPD, right knee disorder (DJD), left knee disorder (DJD), bilateral pes planus due to aggravation of a pre-existing disability, and cardiac disorder (arrhythmia) were all denied.

The Veteran's service-connected dysthymic disorder and COPD have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment from February 3, 2005. Dependents' Educational Assistance is granted from the same date.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that there is no evidence linking his exposure to TCDD and the development of COPD. The Veteran's STRs do not mention any treatment for breathing issues during service, and a VA examination found that smoking was more likely the cause of his current COPD.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that his exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam is at least as likely as not related to his current condition. The decision also grants the reopening of the previously denied claim.

The Veteran's cause of death (end-stage COPD) was not incurred in service and is not etiologically related to service. The Board found that the long history of smoking, rather than exposure to toxins during service, caused the COPD.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for COPD, a heart condition, sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder must be remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and medical opinions. The Veteran's toxic exposure risk activity is presumed under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's COPD is being remanded due to a pre-decisional error in VA's duty to assist, specifically regarding the PACT Act provisions for toxic exposure risk activities (TERA).

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for tinnitus, hemorrhoids, and COPD due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors in the VA medical opinions.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection for stroke. Service connection for COPD was granted on a presumptive basis due to exposure to burn pits, but the claim is remanded for direct service connection.

The Veteran's COPD and congestive heart failure are being remanded for further development.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to potential herbicide exposure during service. The VA will determine if the ship he served on was within 12 nautical miles of Vietnam, which could affect presumptive service connection.,The DIC benefits claim is being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for coronary artery disease, COPD, and depression due to service connection issues. The AOJ is required to verify the Veteran's periods of active service, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA, as well as his exposure to asbestos and carbon tetrachloride during any period of service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's respiratory conditions and exposure history. The Veteran is required to provide more information about his claimed asbestos exposure, and a VA examiner must provide an opinion on the etiology of his diagnosed respiratory conditions.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is rated at 50 percent, but the Board has remanded for further development on service connection claims and an initial rating for bronchial asthma. The effective dates for TDIU, special monthly compensation, and DEA benefits are also being considered.

The Board has denied service connection for COPD, asthma, and bronchitis. Service connection was not granted as the Veteran's conditions are considered to be more likely caused by her history of chronic smoking rather than her military service.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the timeliness of a VA Form 10182 is dismissed because her Motion for Extension of Time was granted, and she submitted a timely Notice of Disagreement.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate opinions from the VA examiners. The Veteran's current diagnoses include COPD, HTN, heart valve replacement (prosthesis), aortic stenosis, atrial fibrillation, and OSA. The issues are related to his military service.