The Board has granted service connection for a left lower extremity nerve disorder, including neuropathy and radiculopathy. The claim for respiratory disorder (COPD) is denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or relationship to service. Cold injury residuals are also denied.
The deciding factor: Service connection was granted for the left lower extremity nerve disorder due to credible reports of symptoms in-service, and the Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy may be related to his back disability. The respiratory disorder (COPD) is not service-connected as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or relationship to service. Cold injury residuals are denied because there is no evidence of cold injuries or their residuals during service.
- Claimed conditions
- left lower extremity nerve disorder, respiratory disorder (COPD), cold injury residuals
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 26, 2018
- Citation
- 18121107
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 18121107.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, heart disorder (atrial fibrillation), and respiratory disorder (COPD). The claims are being remanded due to the need for these opinions.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity neuropathy and cold injury residuals, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are due to frostbite and cold injuries during his military service.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for somatic symptom disorder, respiratory disorders (including COPD), nephrolithiasis, deviated nasal septum, and higher initial disability ratings for PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress and GERD, hiatal hernia, reflux esophagitis, Barrett's esophagus.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal for all service connection and increased rating claims, resulting in the dismissal of these matters without prejudice.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.