The Board denied service connection for COPD and TDIU, finding that the evidence did not support a direct link between the Veteran's respiratory conditions and his military service.
The deciding factor: The 2021 VA examiner opined that the Veteran's COPD was less likely than not related to in-service events or exposure to herbicides, and the Board found no other evidence supporting a connection. The Veteran did not have any service-connected disabilities prior to death, so TDIU was also denied.
- Claimed conditions
- upper respiratory condition
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 4, 2021
- Citation
- 21061605
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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The Board granted service connection for hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and obstructive sleep apnea but denied service connection for skin condition, bilateral hearing loss, and upper respiratory condition. The effective date for the granted conditions is February 14, 2023.
- Partly granted
The Board granted the appeals to readjudicate claims for service connection for a heart disability, lumbar spine back disability, upper respiratory condition, and sleep condition. All other issues were remanded.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
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