The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder caused his nicotine dependence, which in turn led to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Therefore, the claim for service connection for a pulmonary disability is granted.
The deciding factor: The VA psychiatrist concluded that the veteran's service-connected schizophrenia contributed significantly or was the cause of his nicotine dependence, leading to COPD.
- Claimed conditions
- Pulmonary disability
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 31, 2003
- Citation
- 0301932
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,325 · Granted: 31% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 0301932.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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 determined that the Veteran's pulmonary disability is related to VA medical treatment, specifically a July 2016 CT scan with contrast dye injection. The Board finds insufficient evidence to determine if this caused an additional disability and remands for further evaluation.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a pulmonary disability and an eye disability, finding insufficient evidence to link these conditions to his military service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has found that the Veteran's pulmonary disability is not related to his service, specifically due to asbestos exposure. The evidence does not support a diagnosis of asbestosis or any other lung condition related to service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that there have not been substantial compliance with the remand requests for a pulmonary disability claim and TDIU claim. The claims are being remanded to obtain an adequate medical opinion from a pulmonologist regarding the etiology of any pulmonary disability, including consideration of asbestos and paint fume exposure during service.
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