The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a pulmonary disability and a psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of the evidence did not establish a nexus between the claimed conditions and service, including exposure to asbestos or stressors related to service.
- Claimed conditions
- Pulmonary disability (COPD, emphysema, lower lobe fibrotic changes), Psychiatric disorder (PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 8, 2021
- Citation
- 21013174
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 21013174.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder and psychiatric disorder due to incomplete information. The Veteran needs to provide his complete service personnel records, verify his alleged combat experience in Vietnam, and undergo VA examinations for both conditions.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's pending claims for recognition as a substitute claimant and service connection for his psychiatric disorder were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have any pending claims at the time of his death, thus denying substitution.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease. The remaining issues of service connection for psychiatric disorder (PTSD), headaches, and TDIU are remanded due to the change in circumstances.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for a back condition. The issue is REMANDED as it is inextricably intertwined with the CUE challenge.,PTSD was reopened, and the Veteran's PTSD was found to have been incurred in service.
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