The VA denied an increased rating for the veteran's hemopneumothorax, assigning a noncompensable rating initially and then a 30 percent rating effective May 5, 1999. The evidence did not show any significant lung impairment prior to May 5, 1999.
The deciding factor: The VA found no objective evidence of significant lung impairment before May 5, 1999, and the veteran's symptoms were minimal with no need for inhalers or breathing medication.
- Claimed conditions
- hemopneumothorax
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- May 25, 2000
- Citation
- 0013811
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 0013811.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board granted the application to readjudicate claims for glaucoma and nuclear sclerosis of the left eye and right chronic angle closure and nuclear sclerosis of the right eye based on new and relevant evidence. All four conditions were remanded for further development and adequate medical examinations.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses related to her treatment at Vanamburg Surgery Care on October 16, 2012 has been dismissed because the Veteran withdrew her request for a hearing and her appeal. The Board found that she was reimbursed for the expenses.
- Granted
The Board has determined that a compensable rating (10 percent) is warranted for the Veteran's hemopneumothorax throughout the pendency of this claim, effective from the date of his last VA examination in May 2011. A rating in excess of 10 percent is not supported by the evidence.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
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.