The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a pulmonary disability, finding that it did not manifest in service and is not attributable to service. The COPD diagnosed as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was not incurred or aggravated by service.
The deciding factor: VA examinations found no evidence of interstitial fibrosis or asbestosis, and the VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's current COPD disability is less likely related to his service due to lack of causation between asbestos exposure and COPD development.
- Claimed conditions
- Pulmonary disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 26, 2020
- Citation
- 20056564
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 20056564.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's pulmonary disability is related to VA medical treatment, specifically a July 2016 CT scan with contrast dye injection. The Board finds insufficient evidence to determine if this caused an additional disability and remands for further evaluation.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a pulmonary disability and an eye disability, finding insufficient evidence to link these conditions to his military service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has found that the Veteran's pulmonary disability is not related to his service, specifically due to asbestos exposure. The evidence does not support a diagnosis of asbestosis or any other lung condition related to service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that there have not been substantial compliance with the remand requests for a pulmonary disability claim and TDIU claim. The claims are being remanded to obtain an adequate medical opinion from a pulmonologist regarding the etiology of any pulmonary disability, including consideration of asbestos and paint fume exposure during service.
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