The Veteran's left ear disability is service-connected, and the initial rating for COPD with chronic reactive bronchitis has been granted. The Veteran was awarded a higher rating for dysmenorrhea prior to April 20, 2009, but not for her hysterectomy post-August 1, 2009.
The deciding factor: The VA C&P examiners found that the Veteran's current left ear disability is related to service and provided a diagnosis of chronic ear pain. For COPD with chronic reactive bronchitis, the VA C&P examiner determined that the Veteran's impairment was generally related to her anatomy and physiologic reaction to allergies rather than service connection. The dysmenorrhea prior to April 20, 2009, was found to be due to pre-existing conditions not related to service.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Eustachian tube dysfunction with tympanic membrane retraction, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with chronic reactive bronchitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- August 20, 2010
- Citation
- 1031484
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 1031484.
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 Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issue of entitlement to service connection for a back disability due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding VA's failure to provide the Veteran with a VA examination prior to the rating decision.
- Granted
The Board granted a 50 percent rating for the Veteran's migraine headaches based on prostrating attacks occurring more than once a month and severe economic inadaptability.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of his left foot, as there was no evidence showing that the service-connected conditions resulted in functional limitation equal to that of amputation of the left foot with prosthesis.
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.