The Board has determined that the veteran's cardiovascular and respiratory disabilities are due to nicotine addiction, which began during his service. Therefore, these conditions have been granted as being related to service.
The deciding factor: The VA physician concluded that the veteran's nicotine dependence was acquired in service and led to his current chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/emphysema and limited heart function.
- Claimed conditions
- cardiovascular disabilities, respiratory disabilities
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 3, 2001
- Citation
- 0112606
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 0112606.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the case to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's heart disabilities, including whether they are related to service or any service-connected disability.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU benefits, stating that the criteria for entitlement to a TDIU were not met before March 4, 2020.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding his employment status and income during the relevant period, particularly for 2022 and 2023.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a TERA report and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's cause of death, as well as service connection for his respiratory conditions. The DIC claim is also being remanded in conjunction with these issues.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.