The Board granted an earlier effective date for COPD, SMC at the statutory housebound rate, and DEA benefits. The claims for a higher rating for major depressive disorder, separate TBI rating, and earlier TDIU were remanded.
The deciding factor: The decision was based on continuous pursuit of the claim for COPD and the Veteran's 100% rating for COPD beginning October 13, 2015, which allowed for SMC at the statutory housebound rate and DEA benefits. The claims for a higher rating and separate TBI rating were remanded due to missing medical records.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Major Depressive Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 12, 2025
- Citation
- A25051955
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board granted a rating of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI), as the Veteran's symptoms most nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.
- Granted
The Veteran was granted a disability rating of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder, effective October 24, 2017. The Board also granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for asbestosis, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), rhinitis, sinusitis, and asthma. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was also denied a compensable rating.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability due to the need for a more comprehensive medical examination and opinion.
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