The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating of his COPD, currently rated at 30 percent. The evidence did not show that he required monthly visits to a physician or intermittent courses of systemic corticosteroids.
The deciding factor: The VA found that the veteran’s COPD and bronchial asthma did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under DC 6602, as they did not require at least monthly visits to a physician for required care of exacerbations or intermittent courses of systemic corticosteroids.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchial asthma
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 11, 2007
- Citation
- 0717342
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 0717342.
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: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected bronchial asthma does not preclude him from maintaining substantial gainful employment.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
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- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the claim for TDIU prior to October 18, 2018 due to a lack of evidence showing that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other spontaneous pneumothorax status post thoracotomy is rated as 100% disabling since February 28, 2024. His major depressive disorder is separately rated at 70%. The Board finds that the Veteran meets the criteria for special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) due to his service-connected disabilities.
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