COPD Board decisions

The appeal for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and sleep apnea is remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors by the AOJ.

The Board remands the claim for service connection of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to obtain a full toxic exposure risk activity memorandum and a VA examination.

The Board remands the case to obtain additional evidence, including service treatment records and private medical records, and to obtain an addendum medical opinion regarding the Veteran's causes of death.

The Board remands the service connection claim for COPD to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors and obtain additional evidence.

The Board granted a 30 percent rating for COPD from November 12, 2024, through February 26, 2025, but denied a compensable rating prior to that date and an increased rating in excess of 30 percent thereafter.

The Board granted service connection for right middle knuckle disability, dry eye syndrome, bilateral foot disability, cervical spine disability, radiculopathy of the upper extremities, and anxiety disorder. The claim for a stroke was denied, as well as an increased rating for respiratory disability prior to December 8, 2021.

The Veteran's service connection for hypertension was granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand, while the claims for diabetes mellitus, type II, chronic sinusitis, and other conditions were denied or remanded.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to obesity caused by the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and a low back disability, but denied service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The Board granted service connection for multiple disabilities, including thoracolumbar spine disability, bilateral knee and hip disabilities, heart disease, erectile dysfunction, COPD, and denied an initial rating higher than 50 percent for MDD with GAD.

The Board granted service connection for COPD and emphysema as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board granted service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) based on the Veteran's in-service toxic exposures.

The Board remands the Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to obtain an additional medical opinion that addresses the relevant evidence of record, including articles submitted by the Veteran regarding asbestos and herbicide agent exposure.

The Board dismissed the claims for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and chronic plantar calluses of the bilateral feet, while remanding the claims for obstructive sleep apnea and right leg condition.

The Board denied service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as it is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident during service.

The Board denied an increased rating for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction and remanded claims for service connection for eczema, COPD, lumbosacral strain with IVDS, bilateral restless leg syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, and lung nodules.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of September 19, 2023 for the grants of service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss. The claims for other conditions were remanded for further development.

The Board remands the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for OSA with COPD due to an incomplete record, specifically regarding non-VA treatment records from his pulmonologist.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and for colon cancer, presumptively due to exposure during service in Afghanistan. The claim for an initial compensable rating for COPD was denied, and the 10 percent rating assigned for tinnitus was upheld.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for coronary artery disease, service connection for bladder cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The Board denied service connection for tinea pedis, chronic skin irritation of the lower legs, COPD/bronchiectasis/calcified pleural plaques, Lyme disease, and balance/fall problems as there was no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service or herbicide exposure.