The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, finding that his claimed condition did not originate in service or until years thereafter and was not otherwise etiologically related to service. The Board also found that it was less likely than not secondary to his service-connected chronic sinusitis with deviated septum and allergies.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's account of exposure to fumes during service is deemed lacking credibility, and the Board finds no evidence supporting a direct relationship between his current respiratory disability and service. The condition is more plausibly related to post-service occupational exposure to fumes.
- Claimed conditions
- Respiratory disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 13, 2021
- Citation
- 21042455
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 21042455.
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: Denied
The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disability and a left shoulder disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service event or injury resulting in these conditions.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for PTSD, CFS, and a respiratory disability. The claims are being remanded to allow for further development.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error and incomplete medical opinions. The Veteran's respiratory disability claim is being returned for further development.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for a more detailed medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran requires personal care services, supervision or protection based on symptoms or residuals of neurological or other impairment or injury, and needs regular extensive instruction or supervision.
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