The Board denied service connection for nicotine dependence and COPD with emphysema, finding no medical evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's service.,Service connection was also denied for chronic iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS), as there was insufficient evidence of a nexus between ITBS and the veteran's service.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there is no medical evidence showing a link between the veteran's nicotine dependence, COPD with emphysema, or his current iliotibial band syndrome to any incident in service. The claims were not well-grounded as they lacked sufficient medical evidence.
- Claimed conditions
- Nicotine Dependence, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) with Emphysema
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 14, 2000
- Citation
- 0018549
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 0018549.
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: Partly granted
The Board denied a higher disability rating for PTSD with MDD and insomnia, but granted TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete development and need for additional examinations.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
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