The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.
The deciding factor: VA determined that the veteran's respiratory disability, including his service-connected left upper lobectomy, is attributable to non-service connected conditions such as COPD and emphysema. The VA examiner concluded that the veteran was not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities alone.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Upper Lobectomy (residuals), Residual Scarring from Basal Cell Carcinoma of the Nose, Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 25, 2002
- Citation
- 0206833
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 0206833.
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.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's death was caused by CHF, severe pulmonary hypertension, and severe COPD. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected cold injury residuals contributed to his obesity, which in turn led to these conditions. Therefore, DIC benefits are granted based on service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected multiple myeloma did not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or permanently housebound due to his nonservice-connected conditions, such as dementia and COPD. Therefore, SMC based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status is denied.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that cirrhosis did not have a nexus to his military service and hepatitis C was not acquired during service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's death was caused by cardiopulmonary arrest, with severe COPD as the underlying cause. The appellant claims that VA-prescribed medications were administered in excessive dosages and hastened his death. The case is being remanded to secure additional medical records for review.
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