The veteran's claims for an initial rating greater than 10 percent for bronchial asthma and a specific rating for branch retinal vein occlusion of the right eye have been denied. The RO has determined that her current pulmonary function tests do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.
The deciding factor: The veteran’s FEV-1 levels were found to be within normal limits, with an FEV-1/FVC ratio of 77%, and she did not require daily inhalation or oral bronchodilator therapy. Her branch retinal vein occlusion has resulted in decreased vision but no detached retina.
- Claimed conditions
- Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion of the Right Eye, Bronchial Asthma
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- June 25, 2003
- Citation
- 0313961
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 0313961.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected bronchial asthma is found to have aggravated his pre-existing cardiovascular condition, contributing substantially and materially to his cause of death.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bronchial asthma, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a separate 50 percent disability rating for service-connected obstructive sleep apnea, as it is prohibited by law to assign separate ratings for coexisting respiratory disabilities.
- Denied
The appeal to revise, based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE), an October 2020 rating decision's assignment of a 50 percent disability rating for obstructive sleep apnea with bronchial asthma was denied.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.