The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD was denied as there is no evidence of an in-service disease or injury. The Board found that the Veteran meets the percentage rating standards for TDIU due to his combined disability ratings and single disability ratings, which are at least 70 percent. The Veteran's claim for SMC based on need for regular A&A or by reason of being housebound was denied as there is no evidence of permanent bedridden status or inability to leave the house. His claim for SMP based on need for regular A&A or by reason of being housebound was also denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's COPD was not incurred in service and there is no medical nexus linking his current COPD to service. The Board found that he meets the percentage rating standards for TDIU due to his combined disability ratings and single disability ratings, which are at least 70 percent. There is no evidence of permanent bedridden status or inability to leave the house in order to qualify for SMC based on need for regular A&A or by reason of being housebound.
- Claimed conditions
- COPD, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathy (right upper/lower extremities), tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- May 2, 2018
- Citation
- 1826817
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 1826817.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and a ruptured right ear drum was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.
- Granted
The Board of Veterans' Appeals has granted service connection for PTSD and Mood Disorders, both presumed conditions under the PACT Act.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was noted upon entry into active duty service and did not increase in severity during service. Therefore, it denied his claim for service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
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