The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection due to exposure to undiagnosed illnesses during his active duty in Southwest Asia, specifically the Persian Gulf War. The evidence now shows that he experienced breathing problems and a severe gag reflex with vocal cord dysfunction or laryngeal spasm related to this exposure.
The deciding factor: The recently submitted medical records indicate that the Veteran's respiratory issues began shortly after service in the Gulf War, consistent with an undiagnosed illness.
- Claimed conditions
- Breathing Disorder, Severe Gag Reflex and Vocal Cord Dysfunction or Laryngeal Spasm
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- Gulf War
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 9, 2009
- Citation
- 0921564
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 0921564.
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
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, including breathing disorder, back disorder, headaches, acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral knee disorder, heart disorder, painful joints, bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, hypertension, obesity, vision disorder, intestinal disorder, and sleep apnea. The Board also notes that no presumptive service connection is being considered for any of the conditions.
- Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran's current breathing disorders are not etiologically related to his active service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical opinions regarding his right knee disorder and breathing disorder. The case will be remanded for these purposes.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical opinions regarding his right knee disorder and breathing disorder. The case will be remanded for these purposes.
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