The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for nicotine dependence, arteriosclerotic heart disease resulting from tobacco use in service, and interstitial pulmonary fibrosis resulting from tobacco use in service due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and his active service. The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for psychophysiological gastrointestinal reaction disorder was granted.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the veteran did not provide sufficient medical evidence to establish a connection between his current disabilities and his active service, as required by law for claims filed after June 9, 1998.
- Claimed conditions
- nicotine dependence, arteriosclerotic heart disease status post myocardial infarction, interstitial pulmonary fibrosis
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 24, 2000
- Citation
- 0004800
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0004800.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for anti-synthetase syndrome (ASSD) and its associated conditions including interstitial pulmonary fibrosis, polymyositis, rheumatoid arthritis, and Raynaud's syndrome. The decision also grants secondary service connection for these conditions as they are manifestations of ASSD.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection and TDIU due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error regarding SSA records.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for pulmonary hypertension and remanded the claims for emphysema and interstitial pulmonary fibrosis to consider additional evidence related to exposure to herbicides and burn pits.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issue of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disability, other than unspecified anxiety disorder with alcohol use disorder, as an adequate opinion is necessary to determine its etiology.
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