The Veteran's COPD, previously characterized as bronchitis, is rated at 10 percent prior to June 6, 2012 and increased to 30 percent thereafter. The sinusitis with allergic rhinitis is rated at 10 percent. The radiculopathy of the right lower extremity due to degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the lumbar spine is rated at 10 percent prior to June 6, 2012 and increased to 20 percent thereafter.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's COPD was not shown to meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code. The sinusitis with allergic rhinitis met the criteria for a 10% rating. The radiculopathy of the right lower extremity due to DJD of the lumbar spine met the criteria for a 20% rating.
- Claimed conditions
- COPD (previously diagnosed as bronchitis), Sinusitis with allergic rhinitis, Radiculopathy of the right lower extremity due to degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- April 24, 2015
- Citation
- 1517868
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 1517868.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for PTSD, bipolar disorder, and thoracolumbar strain with arthritis, and assigned initial ratings. The issues of Parkinson's disease, dementia, cervical neck strain, spinal stenosis, TDIU, and special monthly compensation were remanded.
- Granted
The Veteran's OSA is granted as secondary to his service-connected sinusitis with allergic rhinitis.
- Granted
The Board found that the Veteran's sinusitis with allergic rhinitis was manifested by more than six non-incapacitating episodes per year, warranting a 30% rating from October 10, 2010 to October 12, 2016. No higher ratings were granted as there was no evidence of radical surgery or chronic osteomyelitis.
- Denied
The Veteran's sinusitis with allergic rhinitis is not rated higher than 30 percent, and his laceration of the left palm disability does not warrant any evaluation.
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