COPD Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for COPD due to asbestos exposure during active duty, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD, finding that the Veteran's COPD is related to his asbestos exposure during military service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with MDD is granted at a maximum rating of 100 percent from February 5, 2015, to August 25, 2015. Service connection for COPD and chronic diarrhea are also granted under the PACT Act effective date.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, specifically failing to provide a VA examination for COPD. The Veteran's COPD is presumed related to herbicide agent exposure in service.

The Board has found that another remand is necessary as VA failed to substantially comply with the Board's prior remand instructions regarding functional impairment, medical treatment for COPD and asthma, and somatization disorder. The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD remains pending.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for COPD and entitlement to TDIU prior to March 17, 2011 due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand requests. Additional development is needed including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of COPD.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to ensure compliance with previous remand directives and to provide the content of substantive appeals to all contesting parties.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD on a direct basis, finding that the Veteran's current respiratory disorder is related to his military service. The decision also addressed secondary service connection but found it not warranted.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous remand orders and for a VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's TERA, including herbicide agent exposure during his service in Vietnam, caused or contributed to the listed immediate causes of death (COPD and/or throat cancer).

Service connection for COPD is granted pursuant to the PACT Act. Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Service connection for chronic fatigue, muscle spasms, and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded due to lack of a VA medical opinion addressing these conditions in relation to presumed toxic exposure risk activities (TERAs).

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) memorandum. The Veteran's respiratory disorder, to include COPD, will be examined by VA to determine its onset during service or its relation to in-service exposures.

The Board has granted presumptive service connection for COPD with chronic bronchitis based on exposure to burn pits, but has also remanded the case for a facts-found determination of service connection.

The Board denied service connection for COPD and sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's conditions were not incurred or caused by his military service. The evidence did not support a link between his PTSD and either condition.

The Board denied service connection for lung cancer, COPD, throat cancer, chronic kidney disease, and dysphagia as secondary to asbestos exposure.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for COPD, migraine headaches, allergic rhinitis, and sinusitis as secondary to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

The Veteran's initial noncompensable rating for COPD and chronic cough is denied as his FEV-1/FVC ratio does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under DC 6604.

The Board has granted an effective date of February 26, 2013 for the grant of DIC benefits based on service connection for cause of the Veteran's death.,Dependency benefits for the Veteran's child were also granted from February 26, 2013 until his 18th birthday in March [REDACTED], 2013.

The Veteran's claims for glaucoma and temporomandibular joint dysfunction have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew these claims during a hearing.,New evidence has reopened previously denied claims for tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD), congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation, COPD, chronic renal insufficiency, hypertension, prostate cancer, bilateral hearing loss, left knee disability, and right knee disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's COPD, specifically whether it is at least as likely as not related to his service and presumed herbicide exposure. A VA examination is needed to provide a definitive opinion.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is granted a 70 percent rating, and service connection for asthma and COPD are granted. Service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and skin condition are remanded.