The Board found that the Veteran's respiratory disability, asbestosis, and bronchitis were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The claim for service connection was denied.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners determined that there was no evidence of COPD at the time of separation from service, and the Veteran had a long history of smoking which is considered one of the main causes of COPD.
- Claimed conditions
- respiratory disability, asbestosis, bronchitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 9, 2017
- Citation
- 1732168
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 1732168.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board has not made a final determination on the claims of service connection for inguinal hernia, PTSD, joint pain, fibromyalgia, left knee disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, sleep disorder, IBS, and headaches. The claims are remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if these conditions are related to service.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require regular aid and attendance from another person, warranting special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance.
- Granted
The Veteran's asbestosis disability is rated at 100% from December 2, 2024 to January 16, 2026. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is dismissed as moot.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, restless leg syndrome, and respiratory disability due to lack of evidence showing in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.
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