The Board denied service connection for heart disease, lung disorder, and depression as secondary to PTSD. The Veteran's heart disease was not related to his near drowning episode in service, but is due to smoking history. His COPD is also due to smoking history. The Board found that the Veteran's depression is secondary to PTSD.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that the Veteran's heart disease and lung disorder are not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, as they have separate causes (smoking). Depression was found to be secondary to PTSD.
- Claimed conditions
- Heart Disease (Coronary Artery Disease), Lung/Respiratory Disorder (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), Acquired Psychiatric Disorder (Depression)
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 28, 2016
- Citation
- 1617069
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 1617069.
What this means for you
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, bilateral upper extremities pain, an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), and squamous cell carcinoma of the anus as secondary to service-connected hepatitis C. However, psoriatic arthritis was denied.
- Granted
The Veteran's heart disorder is rated at 60% from June 23, 2017 to September 9, 2020. The appeal for higher ratings prior to this period and for TDIU prior to September 10, 2020 remains pending.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depression. The Veteran's hepatitis C is linked to in-service air gun immunizations and sexual contacts. His depression is linked to his service-connected hepatitis C.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for heart disease, finding that there is no evidence to support a direct or secondary relationship between his diagnosed condition and his military service.
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