The Veteran's claim for service connection for throat polyps is denied as there was no current disability related to the condition during the appeal period.,Service connection for COPD, to include as due to asbestos exposure, and bladder cancer are remanded. A new opinion is needed regarding whether these conditions were caused by service or other factors.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition is also remanded. The examiner should address the Veteran’s in-service exposures and his history of smoking tobacco.,Service connection for throat polyps, COPD, bladder cancer, and a heart condition are denied.
The deciding factor: The current evidence does not establish a current disability related to throat polyps during the appeal period. The private physician did not review records regarding the throat polyps or their excision.,There is conflicting medical opinion regarding whether asbestos exposure can lead to COPD, and a new opinion is needed to reconcile these opinions.,The Veteran’s history of smoking tobacco as well as his in-service exposures are factors that need to be considered when determining the etiology of his heart conditions.,Service connection for throat polyps, COPD, bladder cancer, and a heart condition are denied due to lack of current disability related to these conditions during the appeal period.
- Claimed conditions
- throat polyps, COPD, bladder cancer, heart condition
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 26, 2021
- Citation
- 21024915
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 21024915.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition, including ischemic heart disease. The evidence did not support a finding of a current disability related to service.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current respiratory disability and active duty service. The VA examiner concluded that the COPD was more likely due to tobacco use rather than asbestos exposure in service.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD was granted with an initial evaluation of 50 percent, effective September 24, 2007. The appeal regarding the heart condition and sleep disorder is denied. The Veteran's hearing loss prior to August 24, 2015, warrants a 20 percent rating.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, attributing it to his exposure to Agent Orange during service. COPD is considered a disease associated with such exposure.
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