The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for COPD and a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss based on the evidence of record.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's condition did not meet or approximate the criteria for higher ratings during the appeal period, as determined by pulmonary function tests and audiometric evaluations.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Chronic Bronchitis, Left Ear Hearing Loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 5, 2025
- Citation
- A25049977
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to an unclear employment history and a pre-decisional duty to assist error.
- Partly granted
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, except for a 20 percent rating for lumbosacral strain.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a compensable rating of left ear hearing loss to obtain missing VA audiometric data.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, except for remanding certain service connection claims.
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