The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a pulmonary disorder and squamous cell carcinoma of the neck, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim for the former condition. The decision also noted that the Veteran was exposed to Agent Orange in service but did not find a causal link between his current conditions and service.
The deciding factor: The Board found no new and material evidence to support reopening of the claim for service connection for a pulmonary disorder, as the evidence did not relate the current condition to service. The squamous cell carcinoma of the neck was also denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service.
- Claimed conditions
- Pulmonary disorder, Squamous cell carcinoma of the neck
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 15, 2014
- Citation
- 1445494
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 1445494.
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: Dismissed
The appeals for service connection for a heart disorder, Parkinson's disease, pulmonary disorder, skin rash, and posttraumatic stress disorder are dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a pulmonary disorder, finding that there is no causal or etiological relationship between his current condition and any disease, injury, or incident during service. The Board considered all relevant evidence, including VA and private treatment records, as well as the Veteran's reported in-service exposure to various irritants, but concluded that smoking was the significant risk factor for developing COPD.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's pulmonary disorder and its relation to service, particularly asbestos exposure.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for a neurological disorder, specifically restless leg syndrome (RLS). The pulmonary disorder claim is denied.
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