The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a respiratory disability, finding that there was no evidence of chronic respiratory problems during or within one year after service separation. The preponderance of the evidence did not support a causal relationship between any in-service respiratory conditions and current respiratory disabilities.
The deciding factor: There is no credible evidence of continuity of symptoms from service to the present for a respiratory disability, and the Veteran's assertions of chronic respiratory problems are inconsistent with contemporaneous medical records. The VA examiner found that the diagnosed respiratory conditions were not related to service or herbicide exposure.
- Claimed conditions
- respiratory disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 28, 2020
- Citation
- 20069992
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,645 · Granted: 19% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 20069992.
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: Partly granted
The Board has not made a final determination on the claims of service connection for inguinal hernia, PTSD, joint pain, fibromyalgia, left knee disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, sleep disorder, IBS, and headaches. The claims are remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if these conditions are related to service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, restless leg syndrome, and respiratory disability due to lack of evidence showing in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claims for service connection for a skin condition, traumatic brain injury, a respiratory disability, bilateral shin splints, and bilateral flatfoot.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a respiratory disability, including emphysema and mucus with coughing due to an error in providing notice. The AOJ is instructed to provide the Veteran with notice of his right to a hearing.
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