The Veteran's lung condition, diagnosed as minimal obstructive lung defect, is denied service connection. The Board finds that the current diagnosis of plantar fasciitis for bilateral foot condition is secondary to a service-connected back disability.
The deciding factor: The April 2024 VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's diagnosed minimal obstructive lung defect is less likely than not caused by burn pits and other toxins, including particulate matter, after considering all applicable military deployments and the synergistic combined effect of toxic exposure risk activities. The opinion stands uncontroverted in the record.
- Claimed conditions
- lung condition, right hand arthritis and pain, left hand arthritis and pain, bilateral foot condition (claimed as flat feet, plantar fasciitis, arthritis, and pain), erectile dysfunction, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), headaches/migraines, left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, liver condition, kidney condition, heart condition (to include hypertension)
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 23, 2026
- Citation
- A26016171
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 A26016171.
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 claim for an earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction was denied as the evidence did not show that he had been diagnosed and manifested to at least a 10 percent disability rating on or prior to May 8, 2001.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, visual impairment, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction due to lack of exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Veteran's claims were not granted.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder disability, abdominal hernia, GERD, bilateral ankle disabilities, and bilateral foot disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during the appellant's period of active duty.
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