The Veteran's claim for service connection for emphysema and COPD (claimed as a respiratory condition) has been denied due to the lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,Service connection for a headache disability is also denied, with no evidence showing that headaches were incurred during or related to his military service.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service treatment records do not show any diagnosis or treatment for respiratory issues such as emphysema and COPD. The VA examiner opined that the current diagnoses of COPD and emphysema are less likely caused by events during service.,There is no evidence in the record showing a headache disability was incurred during service, with the Veteran not reporting any headaches until after his discharge from active duty.
- Claimed conditions
- emphysema and COPD (claimed as a respiratory condition), headache disability, heart condition, hypertension/high blood pressure
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 13, 2020
- Citation
- 20002794
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
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 GERD, a heart condition, hypertension, a kidney condition, and obstructive sleep apnea as there is no evidence of current disabilities related to these conditions or that they are etiologically linked to the Veteran's military service.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew her appeal for an increased rating for a headache disability, and the Board dismissed the claim.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a new medical opinion to address whether the Appellant's heart condition had onset during his period of ACDUTRA service.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for cervical spine condition, diabetes mellitus, heart condition, lumbar spine condition, and urinary frequency and voiding condition as there was no evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service incurrence or aggravation.
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