The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for a pulmonary disorder, as it was more likely due to the veteran's extensive history of tobacco use.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner opined that the veteran's current respiratory condition is 'more probably than not secondary to his extensive tobacco use history,' and there was no evidence linking the condition to his service.
- Claimed conditions
- pulmonary disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 22, 2008
- Citation
- 0813177
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 service connection for a pulmonary disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and right knee disorder as the evidence did not support the presence of current disabilities related to the Veteran's active duty service.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for a pulmonary disorder, initially claimed as esophageal cancer, due to the evidence not supporting a finding that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection of a pulmonary disorder, including COPD. The Board will consider new evidence and re-evaluate the claim.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issue of entitlement to service connection for pulmonary disorder, to include as due to asbestos exposure, for further development.
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