The veteran's service-connected pulmonary histoplasmosis is not currently causing any residual symptoms, and his current respiratory disability is due to nonservice-connected chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) secondary to tobacco use. Therefore, the claim for a higher rating is denied.
The deciding factor: The VA examination report showed no current residuals of pulmonary histoplasmosis and indicated that the veteran's current respiratory disability was caused by his long-term tobacco use, not service-connected histoplasmosis.
- Claimed conditions
- pulmonary histoplasmosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 10, 2008
- Citation
- 0842582
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 0842582.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
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 claims for a compensable disability rating for pulmonary histoplasmosis and/or sarcoidosis, as well as his claim for TDIU based on service-connected disabilities prior to January 3, 2022, require further examination and review. The case is being remanded due to lack of opinion on suppressive therapy use and change in diagnosis from histoplasmosis to sarcoidosis.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and its relationship to his service-connected pulmonary histoplasmosis.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and TDIU based on his service-connected pulmonary histoplosis. The Board found that there was no evidence linking the sleep apnea to service, including his service-connected pulmonary histoplasmosis. The Veteran's employment history did not show he could not work due to his service-connected conditions.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the appeals on all issues related to service connection and rating for various conditions due to the death of the appellant.
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