The Board has denied service connection for COPD and other conditions, but has remanded the issue of compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for left true vocal cord paralysis with dysphonia and globus sensation.
The deciding factor: Service connection is denied as there is no evidence linking the Veteran's current COPD to service or herbicide exposure, but the Veteran has not provided sufficient evidence to reopen his claim for hypertension. The Board has also remanded the issue of compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to a possible link between the left carotid endarterectomy and the current disability.
- Claimed conditions
- COPD, Ischemic heart disease, Diabetes, Carotid arterial disease, Left hand disability (peripheral neuropathy and tremor), Right hand disability (peripheral neuropathy and carpal tunnel syndrome), Neuropathy of the lower extremities, Left true vocal cord paralysis with dysphonia and globus sensation
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 3, 2019
- Citation
- 19176662
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for COPD, finding that the evidence does not support a link between the Veteran's respiratory condition and his military service, including exposure to Agent Orange.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions and a TDIU, as the evidence did not support a finding that any of these disabilities were related to the Veteran's military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's COPD precluded him from obtaining and maintaining substantial gainful employment, warranting a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).
- Granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the R(1) rate due to his need for regular aid and attendance.
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