The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, anemia residuals, a heart disorder (including chronic heart failure and peripheral vascular disease), and carotid artery disease. The decision found that these conditions were not incurred during service or caused by in-service herbicide exposure.
The deciding factor: Service connection could not be granted based on the presumption of herbicide exposure due to lack of evidence showing a specific condition associated with such exposure, nor was service connection granted under the presumptions for chronic diseases as COPD and heart disorders were not recognized conditions. The Veteran's carotid artery disease was also not found to have been caused by in-service herbicide exposure.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), anemia residuals, heart disorder (including chronic heart failure and peripheral vascular disease), carotid artery disease
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 26, 2021
- Citation
- 21004159
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 21004159.
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: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for aortic insufficiency, aortic stenosis and congestive heart failure, and carotid artery disease. The conditions are related to in-service exposure to toxic substances and stress.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for tinnitus, liver disorder (MASLD), and COPD are remanded due to incomplete or inadequate evidence. The claim for service connection is also remanded.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for asthma, eczematoid dermatitis, and allergic rhinitis are being remanded due to incomplete examination reports and the need for new VA examinations.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted service connection for metastatic lung cancer and pleural effusion as secondary to service-connected metastatic lung cancer. Service connection is being remanded for COPD, chronic sinusitis, and allergic rhinitis due to the need for additional development.
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