COPD Board decisions

The Board denied the claim for service connection for COPD for purposes of accrued benefits as there was no evidence showing that COPD was related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to procedural issues and the need for additional medical examinations. The claims are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding service connection for hypertension, COPD, CAD, and supraventricular arrhythmias under a direct theory of entitlement. The Veteran's claims are related to his participation in Project SHAD.

The Board denied service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities, finding no evidence of onset during service or a relationship to in-service events.,Service connection was granted for heart disability (pulmonary hypertension) secondary to service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for COPD is denied as his PFT results do not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to April 30, 2021 is denied due to the evidence showing he can still secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's respiratory disorder, diagnosed as bronchitis, asthma, and COPD, was not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking it to his military service or exposure to herbicides. The Board found that the condition is less likely than not related to his in-service symptoms and did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected asbestosis with emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is rated at 30 percent since August 14, 2017. The Board denied a higher rating prior to that date.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD and remanded the issue of special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has remanded the case due to a reversal of its previous finding that the presumption of soundness was rebutted, and now needs an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's respiratory condition is related to his service, including herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and COPD, as well as their relationship to service-connected PTSD and diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disability and remanded the issue of service connection for a right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and additional development is needed, including a toxic exposure evaluation. The Veteran's service connection claim for OSA remains pending.

The Veteran's service connection claims for COPD, low back disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, chronic fatigue syndrome and joint pain, tremors, and tinnitus are granted due to the PACT Act presumption of exposure to burn pits. The claims for service connection for these conditions are based on presumptive service connection under the PACT Act.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his ischemic heart disease and COPD and his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart and lung disabilities, as well as peripheral vascular disease of the bilateral lower extremities. The decision also denied entitlement to erectile dysfunction secondary to a service-connected disability.,Service connection was not granted for any of the conditions due to lack of evidence showing exposure to herbicides or asbestos during service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a right-hand disability, hepatitis C, respiratory condition (COPD and emphysema), and heart condition (CAD) have all been denied as there is no probative medical evidence to support the assertions that these conditions were incurred or aggravated in service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left pneumothoraces, finding that they are currently stable. The appeal was also denied regarding entitlement to a 10 percent rating for multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities prior to May 31, 2016, as it was inextricably intertwined with the Veteran's claims for increased ratings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to provide the necessary VA examinations. The PACT Act does not apply as the Veteran is not a Persian Gulf Veteran.

The Board has remanded the claims for recurrent pneumonia, respiratory disabilities including COPD and pulmonary fibrosis, and severe arthritis due to inadequate consideration of the Veteran's exposure to toxic substances during service. Further examination is needed to address these issues.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD on a direct service connection basis, finding that his current diagnosis of COPD is related to his in-service asbestos exposure.