The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's pancreatic cyst, liver cyst, renal cyst, left knee disorder, and initial higher disability rating for COPD. The COPD issue was granted with a 30 percent disability rating effective March 13, 2015.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating under DC 6604 (Chronic Bronchitis) as there were no post-bronchodilator FEV-1 or FEV-1/FVC results meeting the required percentages to warrant a higher rating. The Veteran's COPD was rated at 30 percent since March 13, 2015.
- Claimed conditions
- pancreatic cyst, liver cyst, renal cyst, left knee disorder, COPD
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- December 7, 2017
- Citation
- 1756516
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 1756516.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and providing proper notice regarding secondary service connection.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current respiratory disability and active duty service. The VA examiner concluded that the COPD was more likely due to tobacco use rather than asbestos exposure in service.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, attributing it to his exposure to Agent Orange during service. COPD is considered a disease associated with such exposure.
- Granted
The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbosacral strain, asthma, melasma and hydradenitis, hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression, anxiety, and stress), left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, left knee disorder, a left foot disorder, and IBS have been granted. The remaining issues are remanded.
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