The Board denied service connection for lung disorder (COPD) and heart disorder (CAD), finding that the evidence did not support a causal relationship between these conditions and active duty service or exposure to asbestos.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner's opinion concluded that the Veteran's COPD and CAD were less likely related to active service or exposure to asbestos, based on lack of symptoms in service and findings of normal chest X-rays.
- Claimed conditions
- lung disorder (COPD), heart disorder (CAD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 13, 2021
- Citation
- 21063229
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,948 · Granted: 29% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 21063229.
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: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple conditions has been dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and CAD, finding that the evidence does not support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service or toxic exposure risk activities.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for atherosclerotic heart disease, lung disorder, seizure disorder, and essential tremor due to potential errors in duty-to-assist.,Obstructive sleep apnea was denied as not related to service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include migraine disorder, lung disorder (COPD), colon disorder (IBS), kidney disorder (renal mass), and vertigo.
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