The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for COPD and service connection for sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, hypertension, hiatal hernia, gastrointestinal disorder, systemic lupus erythematosus, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, and bilateral foot disorder.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show that the veteran's COPD with bronchial asthma met the criteria for a higher rating or that any of the claimed conditions were related to service.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with bronchial asthma and status post left lobectomy and resection, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, hypertension, hiatal hernia, gastrointestinal disorder (alternately claimed as acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disorder [GERD]), systemic lupus erythematosus, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, bilateral foot disorder (alternately claimed as pes planus or plantar fasciitis)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- March 19, 2025
- Citation
- A25025664
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.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of October 21, 2021, for the grant of service connection for hypertension.
- Denied
The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's lumbar spine pain, allergic rhinitis, and recurrent yeast infections. The claims for service connection for generalized anxiety disorder with alcohol use disorder and left knee pain were remanded.
- Dismissed
The appeal for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, service connection for right ear hearing loss, and bilateral vision condition was dismissed. Service connection for hypertension, congestive heart failure, and coronary artery disease was denied.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including prostate cancer and related disabilities, urinary incontinence, sleep apnea, hypertension, varicose veins, lumbar spine disability, hip arthritis, shoulder arthritis, ankle arthritis, knee strain, knee replacement, and hand arthritis. The only condition granted was a 10 percent rating for a fracture of the right proximal first metacarpal.
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