The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a respiratory disorder, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a link between his current COPD and his military service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners concluded that the Veteran’s COPD is less likely than not related to his service, including exposure to toluene.
- Claimed conditions
- Respiratory Disorder (COPD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 29, 2020
- Citation
- 20081449
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.
- Partly granted
The Board reopened the claims for service connection for asthma and right knee disorder, but denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The remaining claims were remanded for further development.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck strain is related to his in-service activities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.
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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.