The Board denied service connection for COPD as the preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that it was incurred in or aggravated by service.,The Veteran's ventral hernia associated with sternal abdominal scar is rated at 10 percent, which is considered noncompensable. The Board found no basis to increase this rating.
The deciding factor: Service connection for COPD cannot be established as there was no in-service occurrence and the current disability is not related to service.,The Veteran's ventral hernia associated with sternal abdominal scar does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under DC 7339, as it is small and not well-supported by a belt.
- Claimed conditions
- COPD, Ventral hernia associated with sternal abdominal scar
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- September 25, 2018
- Citation
- 18138123
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 18138123.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- 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 Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for COPD. The Veteran's COPD is presumed due to exposure to herbicides, but the evidence does not support a finding that it began during active service or is related to in-service exposure.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's lung condition, including pneumonia residuals, COPD, and emphysema, is remanded for further examination to determine if they are related to his military service. The appeal is reopened based on new evidence.
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