The veteran's service-connected COPD with asthma and emphysema, rated at 60 percent disabling, does not render him unemployable due to the severity of his disabilities. The VA examiner concluded that he can work in a less physically demanding job if one only considers the severity of his service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The veteran's COPD with asthma and emphysema is rated at 60 percent disabling, which meets the threshold minimum percentage requirement for consideration of a TDIU. However, he is not unemployable due to this disability alone as his age and other conditions (including heart disease) also contribute to his inability to work.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) with asthma and emphysema, Residuals of chemical burns
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 6, 2001
- Citation
- 0110266
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0110266.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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- Whole decision: Denied
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- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
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