The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic pulmonary disability, including bronchiectasis, is not related to his service-connected Barrett's esophagitis and therefore cannot be granted secondary service connection. The Board also found no direct link between the veteran's active service and his current lung condition.
The deciding factor: The VA medical evidence indicates that the veteran's COPD and bronchiectasis are more likely due to his work history and smoking, not his Barrett's esophagitis or his active service.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic pulmonary disability, bronchiectasis
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 7, 2002
- Citation
- 0213790
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 0213790.
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: Dismissed
The Board dismissed the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his COPD with ILD, specifically bronchiectasis and pulmonary nodules as it is a freestanding claim that cannot be filed after a final decision.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for bronchiectasis and CVID on a direct basis, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities began during active service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require regular aid and attendance, which grants entitlement to special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance. The issue of entitlement to special monthly compensation at a housebound rate is moot due to the grant of aid and attendance.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's respiratory conditions, including COPD, bronchiectasis, and pulmonary fibrosis. The VA must obtain an addendum opinion addressing these issues.
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