COPD Board decisions

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including respiratory issues, sleep apnea, skin conditions, and shaking, due to deficiencies in the medical nexus opinions.

The Veteran withdrew the appeal for all service connection and increased rating claims, effective March 14, 2025.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as it is not related to his service.

The Board denied service connection for emphysema, COPD, and asthma as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board remands the issues of service connection for hepatitis C, a respiratory disability, a low back disability, and a cervical spine disability, as well as higher ratings for the left knee and right ankle disabilities, due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board granted service connection for esophageal cancer with metastases and coronary artery disease, but denied service connection for a respiratory/lung disorder.

The Board denied service connection for a thyroid disability and a respiratory disorder, to include COPD and emphysema, as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board granted service connection for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) due to herbicide exposure and denied service connection for emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The Board remands the claim for service connection for COPD to obtain a new medical opinion addressing the Veteran's toxic exposure risk activities and COPD, considering all applicable military deployments and service.

Service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted based on a nexus between his service-connected disabilities and his death.

The Board remands the claim for an adequate medical opinion to determine the etiology of the Veteran's causes of death, including pneumonia, COPD, heart disease, and myocardial infarction.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for non-small cell lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between these conditions and exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board granted service connection for GERD and increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The appeal for a compensable initial rating for COPD and scar of the left shoulder was withdrawn. Other appeals were denied.

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

The Board denied higher ratings for prostate cancer, ED, and hypertension but granted a 10 percent initial rating for hypertension. Service connection was denied for lung cancer, bladder cancer, hyperglycemia, and COPD.

The Board remands the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, dermatitis, and bilateral knee disorders due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board remands the claim for a respiratory disorder, to include COPD and asthma, for an addendum opinion as the previous VA examinations are found inadequate.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine disability, pulmonary disability (COPD and/or emphysema), and obstructive sleep apnea due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The appeal to reopen the claim for service connection for sleep apnea was granted, while other issues were remanded.

The Board denied service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, and allergic rhinitis as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.