The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including TBI with vertigo, nausea and headaches, COPD, sleep apnea, cervical spine disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction (ED), and left hand disability are all denied as there is no competent evidence of current disabilities or a nexus to service.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's STRs do not show any complaints, findings, treatment or diagnosis related to the conditions he seeks service connection for. Postservice medical records also fail to document such conditions until after his separation from service. The Board finds that there is no competent evidence of current disabilities and thus cannot establish a nexus between these conditions and service.
- Claimed conditions
- TBI with vertigo, nausea and headaches, COPD, Sleep apnea, Cervical spine disability, Thoracolumbar spine disability, Diabetes mellitus, Erectile dysfunction (ED), Left hand disability
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 11, 2016
- Citation
- 1618950
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1618950.
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 the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current respiratory disability and active duty service. The VA examiner concluded that the COPD was more likely due to tobacco use rather than asbestos exposure in service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) due to insufficient evidence of record. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine if his conditions are related to service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent, the maximum rating available under the General Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The evidence does not support a higher rating as his range of motion did not meet the criteria for an increased rating.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, attributing it to his exposure to Agent Orange during service. COPD is considered a disease associated with such exposure.
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