The Board denied service connection for COPD, bilateral hearing loss, OSA, atrial fibrillation, and tinnitus. The Board also denied increased ratings for lumbar strain with lumbar spondylosis, left lower extremity (LLE) radiculopathy, right lower extremity (RLE) radiculopathy, and hypertension.
The deciding factor: The evidence of record did not persuasively support the claims as there was no current diagnosis for COPD or hearing loss, and OSA began after service with no link to an in-service injury or disease. The Veteran's lumbar strain, LLE radiculopathy, RLE radiculopathy, and hypertension were also found not to be more nearly manifested by the criteria required for higher ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Bilateral hearing loss, Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), Atrial fibrillation, Tinnitus, Lumbar strain with lumbar spondylosis, Left lower extremity (LLE) radiculopathy, Right lower extremity (RLE) radiculopathy, Hypertension
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 3, 2025
- Citation
- A25019115
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 772 · Granted: 31% (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 A25019115.
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 service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military 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: Granted
The Veteran's claim for a low back disorder was reopened, and his claims for increased ratings of bilateral knee instability were granted. His hearing loss claim was denied.
- 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.
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