The Veteran's COPD is denied as it is not related to service, including asbestos exposure.,The Veteran's hypertension is denied as it is not secondary to PTSD or COPD.,The Veteran's diabetes is denied as it is not due to herbicide exposure and is not secondary to hypertension or COPD.,The Veteran's heart condition is denied as it is not related to service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is denied as it is not related to service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is denied as it is not related to service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's vision problems are denied as they are not related to diabetes or COPD.,The Veteran's stomach condition is denied as it is not related to diabetes or COPD.,The Veteran's nerve problems are denied as they are not related to diabetes or COPD.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities is denied as it is not related to diabetes or COPD.,The Veteran's colonic polyps are denied as they are not related to diabetes or COPD.
The deciding factor: There is no persuasive evidence showing that the Veteran's COPD began during service, including due to asbestos exposure. The VA examiner found it less likely than not that the Veteran's COPD was incurred in or caused by his military service.,The Veteran's hypertension is not secondary to PTSD or COPD. The VA examiner found it less likely as not that the Veteran's current hypertension was proximately due to or aggravated by service-connected PTSD and/or medication for PTSD.,There is no persuasive evidence showing that the Veteran's diabetes is due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The VA examiner found it less likely than not that the Veteran's diabetes is secondary to hypertension or COPD.,The Veteran's heart condition, sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, vision problems, stomach condition, nerve problems, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, and colonic polyps are not related to service-connected conditions. The VA examiners found it less likely as not that these conditions are secondary to diabetes or COPD.,The Veteran's heart condition is denied as it is not related to service-connected conditions. The VA examiner found it less likely than not that the Veteran's heart condition was incurred in or caused by his military service.
- Claimed conditions
- COPD, Hypertension, Diabetes, Heart condition, Sleep apnea, Erectile dysfunction, Vision problems, Stomach condition, Nerve problems, Peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, Colonic polyps
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 11, 2023
- Citation
- 23022098
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 23022098.
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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 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.
- Denied
The Board denied the claim of service connection for hypertension, finding that it did not manifest during service and is not causally related to the Veteran's exposure to herbicides or service.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and active duty service or herbicide exposure.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) due to insufficient evidence of record. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine if his conditions are related to service.
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