Denied
The Board denied service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as the evidence did not support a nexus between the condition and the Veteran's service, specifically due to his long history of smoking.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners' opinions that COPD is less likely than not related to in-service toxic exposure outweighed the private opinion, which lacked sufficient detail and context.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 6, 2025
- Citation
- A25020533
Want to see how appeals like this one tend to go? Appeals like mine
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.