The Board finds that the veteran's tobacco dependence did not start in service and is not related to his service. The leukoplakia, diagnosed as a throat disorder, was most probably caused by his smoking habit over the past 20 years.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not show that the veteran's tobacco addiction started during service or is service-related.
- Claimed conditions
- throat disorder, diagnosed as leukoplakia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 16, 2001
- Citation
- 0100972
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 0100972.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided that the Veteran's throat disorder claim should be remanded for further examination and opinion. The gastroesophageal reflux disease with achalasia claim is granted.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple conditions have been remanded due to the submission of new evidence after a prior denial. The Board finds that VA examinations and medical opinions are necessary to properly determine entitlement to service connection.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions, including left shoulder and joint pain, right shoulder joint and bone pain, left knee bone and joint pain, right knee bone and joint pain, depression, gums and tooth pain, and throat pain, to correct duty-to-assist errors that occurred prior to the rating decision on appeal.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board denied service connection for a throat disorder other than allergic rhinitis and GERD, and remanded the claims for respiratory, left shoulder, right foot, and right hip disorders due to inadequate VA examination opinions.
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