Veterans’ RightsAn independent resource for veterans
← All decisions
Denied

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of pneumonia with left lower lung scar and COPD are rated at 30 percent, but do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.,The Veteran's service-connected chronic left Achilles tendonitis is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board found that there was no basis to grant a higher rating.

The deciding factor: The preponderance of evidence did not show that the Veteran’s residuals of pneumonia with left lower lung scar and COPD resulted in FEV-1 or FEV-1/FVC values within the criteria for a 60 percent disability rating, which would be required to grant an increased rating.,There was no evidence showing marked limited motion of the ankle (less than 5 degrees dorsiflexion or less than 10 degrees plantar flexion) as required for a higher 20 percent rating under the new criteria. The Veteran's condition did not meet the criteria for ankylosis, malunion of the calcaneus or talus, or astragalectomy.

Claimed conditions
Residuals of pneumonia with left lower lung scar and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Chronic left Achilles tendonitis
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating assigned
None in this decision
Decision date
May 26, 2021
Citation
21032393

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 21032393.

What this means for you

A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.

What you can do next

Related decisions

Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.

Free starter guide for your own claim

Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.

We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.

We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.

This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.