Thanks for your question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your husband's situation and problem.
In my opinion, your husband is mostly having pleurisy (inflammation of pleura).
The most common cause for pleurisy is lower
respiratory tract infection (LRTI).
Since he is having COPD, chances of
lung Infection are high due to poor lung defense.
And
chest pain on coughing, deep breathing, laughing, sneezing is characteristic of pleurisy.
So better to get done chest x ray to rule out LRTI.
He may need antibiotics and
mucolytic with expectorant for congestion and infection.
So
consult pulmonologist and discuss all these.
Hope I have solved your query.
Wishing good health to your husband.
Thanks.