The Veteran's COPD with emphysema is not considered to be related to his active service, including presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.
The deciding factor: VA regulations provide that service connection is warranted for certain diseases as presumptively due to such exposure (to herbicide agents). However, there was no medical opinion linking the Veteran's COPD with emphysema to his active service or presumed in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The most probative evidence does not support a finding of service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) with emphysema
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 9, 2018
- Citation
- 1815056
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 1815056.
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.
- Granted
The Board of Veterans' Appeals has granted service connection for PTSD and Mood Disorders, both presumed conditions under the PACT Act.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction was denied as the evidence did not show that he had been diagnosed and manifested to at least a 10 percent disability rating on or prior to May 8, 2001.
- Granted
Service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is granted. The appeal as to the issue of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction is dismissed.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to conflicting opinions regarding service connection for peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and skin disabilities related to herbicide exposure.
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