COPD Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for COPD and chronic bronchitis due to inadequate pre-decisional duty to assist, specifically regarding the VA examiner's opinions on the relationship between these conditions and exposure to contaminated water in Camp Lejeune.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a respiratory condition, including pneumonia, emphysema, and COPD due to an inadequate opinion from the August 2021 VA examiner. The Veteran's current respiratory conditions are currently diagnosed but the opinion is deemed insufficient.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to burn pits in Vietnam, and a VA addendum medical opinion is needed to determine if COPD is related to service.

The Veteran's respiratory disability, characterized as COPD, emphysema, and pulmonary scarring fibrosis status post tuberculosis, is rated at 100 percent effective August 25, 2020.

The Veteran's service-connected COPD was assigned a noncompensable disability rating throughout the appeal period, as his FEV-1 results were no worse than 84 percent predicted. The Board found that these results did not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to have caused or contributed substantially to his death from smoking-related COPD and lung cancer, which occurred in September 2022.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his in-service exposure and current condition.

The Veteran's service connection for chronic sinusitis and COPD is granted. However, the Board finds that remand is necessary due to inadequate medical opinions in previous VA examinations.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for a lung disability, including chronic bronchitis, asthma and bronchiectasis due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board dismissed the duplicative appeals for evaluation and service connection of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with mycotic lung disease, to include emphysema; obstructive sleep apnea; posttraumatic stress disorder; chronic kidney disease; and tinnitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) as it is not shown to be causally related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of a VA examination and etiology opinion, as required by McLendon v. Nicholson (2006). The Veteran's COPD is currently found, but there is insufficient competent medical evidence to make a decision on his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations to address whether his OSA was caused or aggravated by his service-connected COPD, rhinitis, and insomnia.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected.,COPD is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's death was caused by lung cancer and COPD. The DIC claim is dismissed as moot because the service connection for the cause of death has been granted, encompassing the entire period on appeal.

Service connection is granted for coronary artery disease, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, hypertension, and rheumatoid arthritis as due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents.,Service connection is denied for hypercholesterolemia. Service connection is granted for bronchiectasis, restrictive lung disease (sarcoidosis), residuals of a cerebrovascular accident, sleep apnea, and COPD as due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents or as secondary to coronary artery disease.,Service connection is remanded for rheumatoid arthritis, bronchiectasis, restrictive lung disease (sarcoidosis), residuals of a cerebrovascular accident, sleep apnea, and COPD.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, as well as secondary conditions. The PACT Act requires a VA examination in these cases.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for COPD before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral plantar fasciitis due to a lack of evidence showing current disabilities or a relationship to service.,Service connection was also denied for COPD and emphysema as there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and incomplete records. The Veteran is entitled to additional etiology opinions on his acquired psychiatric, respiratory, cardiac, vestibular, hearing loss/tinnitus, and orthopedic disabilities.