The Board granted a 30 percent initial rating for COPD from April 16, 2020, and denied an increased rating in excess of 60 percent for bladder cancer. The Veteran was also granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from the same date.

The deciding factor: The decision was based on the severity of the COPD symptoms as reflected by pulmonary function tests, while the evidence did not support a higher rating for bladder cancer given its current 60 percent rating and lack of additional symptoms.

Claimed conditions

Bladder cancer, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

30%

Decision date

November 14, 2025

Citation

A25099149

Want to see how appeals like this one tend to go? Appeals like mine