The Board found that the Veteran's alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency was not incurred in or aggravated during his period of active duty service and denied his claim.
The deciding factor: Service treatment records did not support the Veteran's assertions of frequent and repeated medical treatment for respiratory symptoms, and there is no evidence of significant chemical exposure to sulfuric acid that contributed to the progression of his congenital condition.
- Claimed conditions
- alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 7, 2010
- Citation
- 1001075
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1001075.
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: Granted
The Board granted service connection for bilateral hip osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's arthritis had its onset during active duty and is related to his military service. Service connection was denied for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency due to lack of evidence showing a superimposed disability attributable to service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and bilateral hip disorder due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations to determine if his conditions are related to military service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is found to be related to his service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lung disability, including alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, emphysema, and COPD. The examiner is requested to clarify whether these conditions are defects or diseases, and provide an opinion as to their relationship with service.
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