The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for emphysema and thyroid cancer, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and active service.
The deciding factor: Service connection cannot be granted as the veteran began smoking in service, which is prohibited under VA regulations due to his use of tobacco products during service. The Board also found insufficient medical evidence linking the thyroid cancer to service-connected acne.
- Claimed conditions
- emphysema, thyroid cancer
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 13, 2006
- Citation
- 0604091
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for thyroid cancer, as it was not shown to be chronic in service and did not manifest within the applicable presumptive period.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for Parkinson's disease, emphysema, muscle cramps, bilateral shoulder disability, and neck disability. However, it granted service connection for peripheral vascular disease and asthma.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for COPD, emphysema, a chest wall condition, PTSD, adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, chronic, a low back condition, TBI, and a chest tumor.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for thyroid cancer, finding a link to the Veteran's in-service herbicide exposure during his service in Vietnam.
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