The veteran's disabilities, including a total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, cervical spondylosis, degenerative arthritis of the knees, hemorrhoids, COPD, and glaucoma, meet the criteria for a combined rating of 70 percent. The veteran is therefore considered unemployable due to her disabilities.
The deciding factor: The veteran's combined disability rating meets the percentage requirements for a total disability under section 4.16(a) of the regulations, indicating permanent and total disability from nonservice-connected conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Total Abdominal Hysterectomy and Bilateral Salpingo-Oophorectomy, Degenerative Joint Disease of the Lumbar Spine, Cervical Spondylosis, Degenerative Arthritis of the Knees, Internal and External Hemorrhoids, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Glaucoma
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- August 17, 2000
- Citation
- 0021896
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0021896.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for asbestosis, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), rhinitis, sinusitis, and asthma. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was also denied a compensable rating.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for additional development, including obtaining a new examination and further developing evidence related to toxic exposure during service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) to include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as a pre-decisional duty to assist error was found regarding the Veteran's COPD, and he needs an appropriate VA examination.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for COPD as secondary to diabetes and denied increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy conditions, while dismissing claims related to upper extremity neuropathy.
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