The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD is denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the condition and his active service.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for Generalized Anxiety Disorder with Major Depressive Disorder to greater than 70 percent is denied due to lack of medical evidence supporting such a high level of disability.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as he meets the schedular requirements and his service-connected conditions render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.
The deciding factor: Service connection for COPD cannot be established because there is no evidence showing a relationship between the condition and active service. The VA examiner's opinion, based on medical literature, concluded that COPD was less likely than not related to service.,The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a 100% rating under Diagnostic Codes 9400 (Generalized Anxiety Disorder) and 9434 (Major Depressive Disorder), as his symptoms do not result in total occupational and social impairment. The VA examiner noted that he is able to function independently, albeit with some challenges.,The Veteran meets the schedular requirements for a TDIU due to his service-connected conditions, which include Generalized Anxiety Disorder with Major Depressive Disorder rated at 70 percent.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD), Generalized Anxiety Disorder with Major Depressive Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- December 10, 2020
- Citation
- 20078456
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 20078456.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's anxiety disorder with major depressive disorder is rated at 100% prior to November 24, 2024, due to severe symptoms including suicidal ideations and anger issues that have caused him to lose multiple jobs.
- Denied
The Veteran's cause of death was determined to be due to COPD, but the Board found no evidence linking this condition to his service or exposure to herbicide agents. As such, service connection for the cause of death is denied.
- Granted
The Veteran's COPD with OSA has been granted an initial rating of 60 percent effective May 1, 2019. The claim for separate ratings is denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for OSA and COPD on a secondary basis, as well as the initial rating for constipation. The issues of entitlement to SMC-HB and TDIU have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.
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