The Veteran's service-connected COPD and chronic bronchitis with residual bronchial asthma prior to January 15, 2016 did not meet the criteria for a schedular rating in excess of 30 percent. The Board also found that he was able to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's respiratory disability warranted only the 30 percent rating assigned under Diagnostic Code 6604, which is based on pulmonary function test results not meeting specific criteria for higher ratings. The VA examiner determined that the Veteran was able to obtain and retain substantially gainful employment despite his service-connected disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), chronic bronchitis with residual bronchial asthma
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 7, 2017
- Citation
- 1711236
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1711236.
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 Board denied the appeal because the Appellant did not file a timely substantive appeal after receiving the SOC, and there was no evidence of circumstances warranting equitable tolling.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected bilateral pleural scar with obstructive and restrictive pulmonary disease, COPD and chronic bronchitis.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for chronic bronchitis, COPD, and emphysema but granted a 10 percent rating for hypertension.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection and an increased rating for the Veteran's respiratory conditions, including chronic sinusitis, chronic bronchitis, COPD, shortness of breath, and allergic rhinitis, to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.
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