The veteran's initial claim for higher ratings for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and residuals of coccidioidomycosis was denied. The RO granted service connection in January 2003, but did not grant a rating higher than 10 percent before February 18, 2005, or a rating higher than 30 percent from that date.
The deciding factor: The veteran's disability ratings were found to be appropriate based on the criteria for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and residuals of coccidioidomycosis as per Diagnostic Codes 6604 and 6835, respectively.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Residuals of coccidioidomycosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- November 3, 2006
- Citation
- 0634166
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 0634166.
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 the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, as none of the listed causes were related to his period of active duty or presumed exposure to herbicides.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple disabilities, including thoracolumbar spine disability, bilateral knee and hip disabilities, heart disease, erectile dysfunction, COPD, and denied an initial rating higher than 50 percent for MDD with GAD.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2, a heart condition as secondary to hypertension, and lower extremity vascular disability as secondary to diabetes mellitus type 2. The claims for peripheral neuropathy in all four extremities and amputation of toes were also granted as secondary to diabetes mellitus type 2. However, the claims for a neck condition, COPD, gall bladder removal, and chronic kidney disease were denied.
- Dismissed
The appeal is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.
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