The Board found that the veteran's nicotine dependence and resulting respiratory symptoms, including interstitial lung disease and COPD, were incurred in or aggravated by service. The initial evaluation for these conditions is granted at a 60 percent rating effective from October 7, 1996.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner concluded that the veteran's smoking history during service, combined with asbestos exposure, contributed to his current lung disease and symptoms.
- Claimed conditions
- Nicotine dependence, Interstitial lung disease, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- October 28, 2002
- Citation
- 0215108
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 0215108.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted readjudication of previously denied claims for service connection for PTSD and COPD, while remanding other issues including entitlement to service connection for an eye disorder, hypertension, tinnitus, a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, TDIU, and an initial rating for PTSD.
- Denied
The appeal for service connection for PTSD was dismissed, and the claims for a compensable rating for the lower back scar, service connection for COPD, and peripheral artery disease were denied.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, COPD, a gastrointestinal disability, and migraines due to lack of evidence supporting a link between these conditions and her military service.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and a right knee disability, as there was no probative evidence showing that these conditions had their onset during active service or were related to an in-service event, injury, or disease.
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