COPD — all decisions

The Board remands the claims for service connection for asthma, bronchitis, and COPD due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a higher level of special monthly compensation (SMC) as he does not meet the criteria for an increased rate based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for supraventricular arrhythmias, basal cell carcinoma, kidney stones, and COPD as the AOJ failed to substantially comply with prior remand directives.

The appeal was dismissed due to a procedural defect related to the submission of the Notice of Disagreement by the Claimant prior to approval of her request for substitution as claimant following the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's former attorney, L.S., is not eligible for the direct payment of reasonable attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded by April 2024 and August 2024 Rating Decisions that established the Veteran's entitlement to service connection for COPD and a TDIU rating.

The Board remands the appeal for additional efforts to obtain federal records from the Federal Bureau of Prisons (FCI Ashland and FCI Tallahassee) for the period from 1971 to 1975, as it is unclear whether an authorization is needed or if further attempts would be futile.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and a right knee disability, as there was no probative evidence showing that these conditions had their onset during active service or were related to an in-service event, injury, or disease.

The Board granted restoration of the 10 percent evaluation for left knee meniscus, effective April 21, 2025, and an additional 20 percent rating was also granted.

The Board granted an effective date of March 2, 2007, for the grant of service connection for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy and November 26, 2014, for COPD, emphysema, and asthma. The claims for earlier effective dates were denied.

The Board remands the claim for a lung condition, to include COPD, asbestosis, and bilateral pleural plaques due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service and his current lung condition.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to correct duty-to-assist errors.

The Board granted service connection for COPD and emphysema, which are presumptively covered conditions due to exposure to toxic risk activities in Southwest Asia. The claim for a lung nodule was denied.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for shortness of breath before the Board made a decision.

The Board denied service connection for a pulmonary condition, to include COPD, asthma, and chronic bronchitis, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus between the Veteran's in-service toxic exposure and his current pulmonary condition.

The Board granted service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) based on in-service exposure to herbicide agents and burn pits during the Veteran's service in Vietnam.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board denied service connection for COPD and chronic kidney disease stage 3, finding that the evidence did not support a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's active service.

The Board granted service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and obstructive sleep apnea, finding a causal link to toxic exposures during the Veteran's period of active service.

The Board denied an increased disability rating in excess of 60 percent for bronchial asthma based on the evidence showing that the criteria for a higher rating were not met.

The Board granted a 100 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI), but denied service connection for a right ankle disability, an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, a compensable rating for renal insufficiency as a residual of rhabdomyolysis, and other claims.