The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including COPD and bilateral knee problems, result in the loss of use of both lower extremities. He qualifies for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing but not for special home adaptations.
The deciding factor: The veteran's combination of service-connected disabilities (COPD and bilateral knee issues) results in the need for a wheelchair as his primary mode of locomotion, meeting the criteria for loss of use of both lower extremities.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cervical disc disease, residuals of lumbar laminectomy and fusion, right knee degenerative joint disease, left knee degenerative joint disease, residuals of left ankle fracture, residuals of right ankle fracture, hiatal hernia, left shoulder injury
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- July 2, 2008
- Citation
- 0821774
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 0821774.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's respiratory disability, including asthma and COPD, is denied as service connection is not warranted due to the condition being solely attributed to smoking.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the severity of his left knee disability, including without considering the ameliorative effects of medication.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for right foot disability status post Mitchell's bunionectomy is granted with an effective date of July 25, 2023.,The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for left foot disability status post Mitchell's bunionectomy is dismissed as it does not meet the criteria for an earlier effective date.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for asthma, COPD, pancreatitis, stroke, and left arm weakness (claimed as secondary to stroke) based on the presumption of exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service or due to in-service exposure.
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