COPD — all decisions

The Veteran was granted increased ratings for COPD with OSA and asthma, diabetic neuropathy of the right upper extremity, and chronic kidney disease.

The Veteran's appeal for the direct payment of attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in a May 2024 rating decision is denied.

The Board remands the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lung cancer residuals due to inadequate examination and need for a more comprehensive evaluation of all respiratory conditions.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 50 percent for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with dyspnea, as the Veteran's condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for COPD due to multiple pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including failure to verify asbestos exposure and obtain relevant medical records.

The Board granted service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), to include chronic bronchitis, as separate conditions from the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board remands the case to obtain a VA medical opinion regarding the cause of death, endstage COPD, and its relation to service exposure.

The appeal of the issues of entitlement to service connection for various conditions was denied due to an untimely notice of disagreement.

The claims for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for hypertension, service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and an increased rating for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The Board granted earlier effective dates of September 3, 2021, for service connection for COPD, colon cancer, colectomy scar, and eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35.

The Board granted service connection for bronchitis and increased the rating for asthma with COPD to 60 percent, while denying service connection for hyperthyroidism, sarcoidosis, a lung condition other than asthma, TDIU from July 29, 2016, to March 15, 2017, and special monthly compensation (SMC) based upon aid and attendance/housebound status.

The Board denied service connection for depression and anxiety, but remanded claims for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), headaches, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and asthma due to a need for additional evidence.

The appeal as to the proposal to sever service connection for COPD with asbestosis was dismissed because it was premature and there was no final decision subject to appellate review.

The Board granted service connection for sinusitis and an initial 30 percent evaluation for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to include asthma, but remanded the claim for lower back pain.

The Board granted an initial rating of 60 percent, but no higher, for emphysema with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and non-small cell carcinoma.

The Board denied the surviving spouse's claim for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation because the Veteran was not rated totally disabled for the required periods under 38 U.S.C. § 1318, with a peak combined disability rating of 80 percent. The Board remanded three issues: entitlement to survivor's pension benefits, entitlement to TDIU based on a pending March 2020 Supplemental Claim, and entitlement to service connection for cause of death, requiring a new VA medical opinion addressing the interplay between the Veteran's ischemic heart disease, hypertension, COPD, and herbicide exposure under PACT Act provisions.

The Veteran withdrew the appeal for service connection claims related to COPD, sinusitis, and rhinitis.

The Board granted service connection for chest pain, to include hypertensive heart disease, and denied an initial compensable disability rating for hypertension. The claim for obstructive sleep apnea was dismissed as untimely.

The Board remands the matter to ensure an appropriate attempt is made to obtain complete service treatment records, specifically for the period between February 1967 and September 1968.