The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD has been reopened and granted. A rating of 20 percent is assigned for neuropathy of the musculocutaneous branch of the left forearm, effective from June 16, 2016. Service connection for a heart disorder (heart murmur) was denied.
The deciding factor: New evidence received since the November 2013 rating decision raised a reasonable possibility of substantiating the Veteran's service connection claim for COPD. The neuropathy of the left forearm is rated as 20 percent disabling based on severe incomplete paralysis, which is the maximum schedular rating for this condition in the minor extremity.
- Claimed conditions
- COPD, Heart murmur
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- February 3, 2023
- Citation
- 23006999
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 23006999.
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.
- 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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