The Veteran's chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma are not related to service, including exposure to asbestos. The heart disability is not related to service or service-connected PTSD.,Service connection for the heart disability was denied as it is less likely than not caused by service (including radiation exposure) or service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's current chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma are not residuals of in-service asbestos exposure, and there is no evidence linking them to active service. The heart disability was not incurred during service and is less likely caused by radiation exposure or service-connected PTSD.,There is no direct evidence that the heart disability occurred during service. While it may be related to service-connected PTSD, medical research does not support a causal link between PTSD and heart disease.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Asthma, Heart Disability
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 5, 2016
- Citation
- 1626765
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 1626765.
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: Granted
The Veteran's heart disability has been rated at 100% from September 12, 2022 to August 18, 2023. He is also eligible for special monthly compensation and Dependents' Educational Assistance during this period.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's asthma is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds that this rating adequately compensates his service-connected condition.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Veteran's asthma is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's sleep apnea claim has been remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, asthma, and foot conditions, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work history throughout the appeal period.
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