The VA denied the veteran's claims for a lung disorder due to asbestos exposure, an increased evaluation for facial scars, and reopening of his claim for service connection for migraine headaches. The VA found that there was no evidence linking any current lung condition or facial scars to service, and the new evidence submitted did not provide sufficient information to reopen the claim for migraines.
The deciding factor: The VA determined that the veteran's diagnosed COPD was not incurred in or aggravated by his period of active duty. The facial scars were found to be nonadherent, nontender, and had resulted in no loss of muscle function or disfigurement. Additionally, the new evidence submitted did not show a relationship between the veteran's migraines and his service.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 11, 2005
- Citation
- 0500680
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 0500680.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
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.
- Dismissed
The appeals for service connection and higher initial rating were dismissed due to concurrent election of review options.
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