The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for COPD with emphysema prior to January 29, 2024, and his request for an earlier effective date for service connection were both denied. The Board found that the earliest applicable date of claim was September 22, 2022, but entitlement did not arise until April 21, 2024.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed that the Veteran's COPD with emphysema met the criteria for a 100 percent rating as of April 21, 2024, but he had continuously pursued his claim since September 22, 2022. The Board determined that entitlement to an earlier effective date was not warranted.
- Claimed conditions
- COPD with emphysema
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- January 28, 2026
- Citation
- A26007859
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 A26007859.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the appeal as both issues were improperly elected concurrently and no waiver of this prohibition was made.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for COPD with emphysema, finding that the Veteran's condition is not related to his military service or exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The claim was based on presumed exposure to toxic chemicals and asbestos during his time as an aviation structural mechanic.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for COPD with emphysema, finding that the Veteran's condition is not related to his military service or exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The claim was based on presumed exposure to toxic chemicals and asbestos during his time as an aviation structural mechanic.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD with emphysema and BPH, both of which are not considered presumptive conditions due to herbicide agent exposure. The medical opinions provided concluded that there is no significant evidence suggesting a relationship between these conditions and herbicide agent exposure.
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