The Board has determined that the Veteran's current respiratory disabilities, including COPD with emphysema and OSA with hypoxemia, are not related to his service or exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange). The claim for service connection is denied.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence does not support a causal relationship between the Veteran's current respiratory disabilities and his in-service service or exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran's disabilities are more likely due to his long-term smoking history, obesity, and other non-service-related risk factors.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic respiratory disorder, COPD with emphysema, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with hypoxemia, acute bronchitis and recurrent pneumonia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 4, 2017
- Citation
- 1731428
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 1731428.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the appeal as both issues were improperly elected concurrently and no waiver of this prohibition was made.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for COPD with emphysema prior to January 29, 2024, and his request for an earlier effective date for service connection were both denied. The Board found that the earliest applicable date of claim was September 22, 2022, but entitlement did not arise until April 21, 2024.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for COPD with emphysema, finding that the Veteran's condition is not related to his military service or exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The claim was based on presumed exposure to toxic chemicals and asbestos during his time as an aviation structural mechanic.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for COPD with emphysema, finding that the Veteran's condition is not related to his military service or exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The claim was based on presumed exposure to toxic chemicals and asbestos during his time as an aviation structural mechanic.
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