The Veteran's COPD and emphysema, right radial neuropathy, right hallux valgus (based on service aggravation), and left hallux valgus (based on service aggravation) have been granted. The Veteran's right carpal tunnel syndrome has been denied as secondary to a service-connected disability.
The deciding factor: The VA opinions provided support for the grant of service connection for COPD, emphysema, and radial neuropathy based on in-service exposures. Right hallux valgus and left hallux valgus were granted based on aggravation during service. The right carpal tunnel syndrome was denied as not related to service or a service-connected disability.
- Claimed conditions
- COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), Emphysema, Right Radial Neuropathy, Right Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (on secondary basis), Right Hallux Valgus (based on service aggravation), Left Hallux Valgus (based on service aggravation)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 13, 2021
- Citation
- 21042691
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 21042691.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
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- Denied
The Veteran's cause of death was listed as emphysema, but the Board found no causal connection to service or a service-connected disability. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is etiologically related to service exposure to herbicide agents, and thus grants service connection for COPD.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a respiratory disorder, including claims related to asbestos exposure and claimed ionizing radiation exposure. The evidence did not support a link between any in-service exposures and the current diagnoses.
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