The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disability to include asthma and shortness of breath, as well as a central nervous system disability to include headaches and tremors, both related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The evidence shows that these disabilities are etiologically related to the Veteran's in-service exposure.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's current respiratory and central nervous system disabilities were related to his service due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, with multiple medical opinions supporting this relationship.
- Claimed conditions
- respiratory disability (including asthma and shortness of breath), central nervous system disability (including headaches and tremors)
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- Camp Lejeune water
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 21, 2020
- Citation
- 20004498
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.
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The Board remands the claim for service connection for tinnitus to correct a duty to assist error, as the Veteran's lay statements regarding onset and continuity of symptoms were not adequately considered in the previous decision.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for a left-hand condition is dismissed as the Veteran was granted service connection for mononeuropathy to the left hand fourth finger with parasthesia of skin in an October 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for unspecified anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding their etiology.
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