COPD Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for COPD and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not due to in-service asbestos exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, other than his already service-connected episodic bronchitis. The evidence did not support a finding of a separate respiratory disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD was denied because new and relevant evidence had not been received to support the claim, despite his exposure in Vietnam. The PACT Act does not apply as COPD is not one of the diseases covered by this law.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the issue of entitlement to service connection for COPD.

The Board has granted the readjudication of claims for service connection for COPD and heart disorders. The claim for service connection for a heart disorder is remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD, finding that the Veteran's exposure to asbestos during service is at least as likely as not related to his current condition.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, finding that the evidence did not establish a causal relationship between the Veteran's current condition and his military service, including exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA opinions and a need for further development, including obtaining a new VA opinion on the relationship between the Veteran's claimed conditions and his in-service asbestos exposure.

The Board has remanded several claims for increased ratings and service connection due to duty-to-assist errors, including obtaining private treatment records and VA examinations.

The appeal for service connection for tonsil cancer and larynx injury is dismissed. Service connection for hypothyroidism and hypertension has been granted, while soft tissue sarcoma remains denied. The appeals for ischemic heart disease, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and COPD are remanded.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence submitted by the Veteran between October 2019 and September 2020 warrants readjudication of his service connection claim for COPD. The case is now remanded to determine if there is a nexus between the Veteran's in-service asbestos exposure and his current COPD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, chronic kidney disease, COPD, coronary artery disease/congestive heart failure, diabetes mellitus II, and hypertension due to exposure to asbestos while serving as a machinist mate in the Navy. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions based on the Veteran's service history and any other relevant evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD and related conditions, including asbestosis, is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error regarding asbestos exposure. The case will be reviewed with an appropriate clinician who must address the likelihood of current breathing or pulmonary conditions manifesting during active military service.

The Veteran's respiratory disability, including asthma and COPD, is granted as service connected due to presumed exposure to herbicides during active service.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant passed away before a decision could be made.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that it is not related to his in-service pneumonia or allergic rhinitis and is more likely due to his history of smoking. The Board also found that COPD was not aggravated by his service-connected OSA, lung scarring, or allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's COPD is granted as service connected due to exposure to burn pits and other toxins during his service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations, effective August 10, 2022.

The Veteran's hypertension and bladder cancer were denied increased ratings, while the claims for service connection of chronic kidney disease and COPD are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal regarding COPD and heart disability is remanded due to insufficient medical opinions. The Board finds that the current opinions are inadequate for deciding these claims.