The Board found that the Veteran does not have pneumoconiosis or bullous emphysema due to service, as his symptoms predate his military service and are more likely related to post-service treatment. The claim for service connection was denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's current respiratory conditions are more consistent with post-service medical history and do not appear to be linked to his military service.
- Claimed conditions
- pneumoconiosis, bullous emphysema
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- Gulf War
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 11, 2011
- Citation
- 1126030
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 1126030.
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: Denied
The Board denied a compensable evaluation for the Veteran's pneumoconiosis during the period on appeal, finding that his Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for pneumoconiosis and sinusitis due to in-service toxic exposure risk activities (TERAs) because of a duty to assist error. The claims will be reviewed again with additional medical opinions.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent for bullous emphysema was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for such a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral posterior synechia; bilateral dry eye syndrome; left eye band keratopathy; and bilateral pseudophakia (previously rated as uveitis) was denied due to lack of incapacitating episodes during the past year.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for hearing loss was denied because his best corrected visual acuity did not meet the criteria for any higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction (ED) was denied as there was no evidence linking ED to his military service.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for squamous cell cancer and denied the claims for an earlier effective date, service connection for implanted cardiac pacemaker, and several other conditions.
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