The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory disorders, including lung cancer, bronchial pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, and COPD, were not incurred in service. The appeal is denied.
The deciding factor: There is no medical evidence linking the Veteran's current respiratory conditions to his military service, particularly as he did not have a diagnosis of asbestosis or any other asbestos-related condition during service or post-service. His smoking history is considered more significant for his lung conditions than any potential exposure to asbestos in service.
- Claimed conditions
- Respiratory Disorder, Lung Cancer, Bronchial Pneumonia, Pulmonary Embolism, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 22, 2017
- Citation
- 1753704
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 1753704.
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.
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- Denied
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- Denied
The Veteran's appeal to reduce the ratings for OSA and COPD with asthma and granuloma of the lung was denied, as well as his attempt to add a claim for service connection for aphasia secondary to TBI. The appeals were dismissed due to untimeliness.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD is remanded due to a duty to assist error. The Board requests an addendum opinion from a pulmonologist or clinician with appropriate expertise to determine if the Veteran's COPD is etiologically related to his VA conceded TERA exposure, including exposure to TCDD, jet fuel and engine exhaust, hazardous chemicals, lead, vehicle engine exhaust fumes, chemical vapors, oily/hazardous waste, chemical solvents, and compressed gases.
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