The Board has determined that the veteran's nicotine dependence had its onset during service and is related to his tobacco use. The evidence also supports a finding of cardiovascular disease being secondary to his nicotine dependence. However, the claim for service connection for cardiac disease was previously denied in October 1985, but new evidence submitted since then suggests it may be reopened.
The deciding factor: The veteran's nicotine dependence and subsequent cardiovascular disease are linked to tobacco use during service.
- Claimed conditions
- Nicotine Dependence, Cardiac Disease
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 15, 2000
- Citation
- 0012831
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 0012831.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete development and need for additional examinations.
- Granted
From June 3, 2016, the Veteran's PTSD symptoms are best described as manifesting by total occupational and social impairment. His PTSD is rated at a maximum of 100 percent.
- Denied
The Board denied reopening of the claims for service connection for various conditions, including nicotine dependence, coronary artery disease, neuropathy of the legs, loss of vision in the left eye, cataracts, atrial fibrillation, obesity, cerebrovascular accident, diabetes mellitus, porokeratosis, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. The Board found that new evidence did not establish a relationship to service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new examination to assess the severity of his PTSD symptoms and address claims that his condition has worsened. The case will be readjudicated based on all evidence.
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