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
- Not verified here — check the original 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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 23022098.
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 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.