The Veteran's COPD was rated as 10% prior to August 5, 2019 and 30% thereafter. The Board found that the current evidence did not support a higher rating for COPD.,For his right rotator cuff tendonitis with resolved glenohumeral joint dislocation, the Veteran was granted a 20% rating prior to December 8, 2015 and denied any increase in rating thereafter.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations did not support higher ratings for COPD as they showed that FEV-1/FVC levels were within the range of 71-80 percent predicted or 56-70 percent predicted, which do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,For his right shoulder disorder, the Veteran was granted a 20% rating prior to December 8, 2015 based on functional loss due to painful motion. However, after that date, there were no findings of limitation of arm movement.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Right Rotator Cuff Tendonitis with Resolved Glenohumeral Joint Dislocation
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 1, 2021
- Citation
- 21005255
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 21005255.
What this means for you
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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 decided to remand the claim of service connection for COPD due to duty-to-assist errors and a need for a supplemental medical opinion.
- Denied
The Veteran's appeal to reduce the ratings for OSA and COPD with asthma and granuloma of the lung was denied, as well as his attempt to add a claim for service connection for aphasia secondary to TBI. The appeals were dismissed due to untimeliness.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD is remanded due to a duty to assist error. The Board requests an addendum opinion from a pulmonologist or clinician with appropriate expertise to determine if the Veteran's COPD is etiologically related to his VA conceded TERA exposure, including exposure to TCDD, jet fuel and engine exhaust, hazardous chemicals, lead, vehicle engine exhaust fumes, chemical vapors, oily/hazardous waste, chemical solvents, and compressed gases.
- Denied
The Veteran's COPD was evaluated and found not to meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating based on the provided pulmonary function test results. The Board denied the claim as there is no evidence of service connection or exposure basis that would warrant a higher rating.
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