The Veteran's lung disorder and heart disability (other than coronary artery disease) claims have been denied. The lung disorder claim is based on direct service connection, while the heart disability claim remains pending as it may be related to a service-connected condition.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found no current lung disability or specific lung disease in the Veteran's case and concluded that his restrictive lung pattern was not indicative of a diagnosed lung disease. The heart disability claim is still under review due to its potential secondary nature to a service-connected lung disorder.
- Claimed conditions
- Lung Disorder, Heart Disability (other than coronary artery disease)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 17, 2015
- Citation
- 1548405
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 1548405.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and the issue of service connection for a lung disorder is remanded due to lack of exposure documentation.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a respiratory disorder due to inadequate compliance with prior remand directives and the need for further development, including a VA examination.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was reopened and granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was reopened and granted.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lung disorder, finding that there is no persuasive evidence of asbestos exposure or any related condition during his military service and concluding that COPD resulted from long-term smoking rather than asbestos exposure.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.