The Board found that the veteran's chronic respiratory disease, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and bronchitis, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The laryngitis and postoperative residuals of a deviated nasal septum were also denied.
The deciding factor: The VA medical records did not show any evidence linking the current respiratory condition to service, nor could exposure to mustard gas be confirmed.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic respiratory disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 3, 2002
- Citation
- 0213577
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 0213577.
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 to remand the Veteran's claim for chronic respiratory disease due to incomplete medical records and a need for further examination.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic respiratory disease, including COPD, was denied. The claim for benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for residuals of lumbosacral surgery was also denied.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic respiratory disease is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining missing STRs and VA treatment records, considering asbestos exposure, and providing a new opinion on the etiology of his current respiratory disability.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional records from Dr. Clifford Weldon, M.D.
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