The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disability and GERD, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a link to service. The claim was denied as there is no clear and unmistakable evidence showing the condition existed prior to service or that it was aggravated by service.
The deciding factor: Service records do not show any in-service diagnosis or treatment for respiratory issues, and VA medical opinions found no causal relationship between current COPD and service. For GERD, while the Veteran asserted a direct link to service, his claim for PTSD with substance abuse granted prior to this decision means that any potential secondary service connection is now covered by that grant.
- Claimed conditions
- Respiratory Disability (COPD), Gastroesophageal Reflux Disorder (GERD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 15, 2020
- Citation
- 20060751
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 20060751.
What this means for you
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Loss of Use of Both Feet with Sciatic and Femoral Nerve Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy, have resulted in the permanent loss of use of both feet. The Board has determined that this meets the criteria for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile and adaptive equipment.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including heart disorder, GERD, liver disorder, and peripheral neuropathy. The decision also noted that the Veteran's sciatica was not incurred in service.
- Granted
The Veteran's service connection claims for generalized anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), liver condition, joint pain, intestinal condition, kidney condition, sleep apnea, vein condition, right carpal tunnel syndrome, left carpal tunnel syndrome, and lumbar spine disability have all been granted.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), and hypertension as secondary to PTSD. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during service or are related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.
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