The Veteran's service connection claims for kidney disorder, COPD, brain disorder, and ataxia due to TCE exposure have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or link between the disorders and active duty service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran’s disorders were less likely related to service including TCE exposure, attributing them more likely to lifestyle factors such as smoking cigarettes and hypertension.
- Claimed conditions
- kidney disorder, COPD, brain disorder, ataxia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 21, 2020
- Citation
- 20068255
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 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).
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for kidney, liver, and pituitary gland disorders to obtain an addendum medical opinion regarding their nature and etiology.
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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.