The Board denied an increased rating for the residuals of a left pneumothorax, finding no basis to assign a compensable evaluation under either the old or new respiratory regulations.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not support a diagnosis with respect to the residuals of a pneumothorax and the results of pulmonary function tests were consistent with a noncompensable evaluation.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Pneumothorax
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 28, 2000
- Citation
- 0022819
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0022819.
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 claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left pneumothoraces, finding that they are currently stable. The appeal was also denied regarding entitlement to a 10 percent rating for multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities prior to May 31, 2016, as it was inextricably intertwined with the Veteran's claims for increased ratings.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected right and left pneumothorax are currently stable, but the respiratory impairment is due to nonservice-connected COPD. As a result, higher disability ratings for these conditions are denied.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has determined that the veteran's injuries were due to his willful misconduct, specifically intoxication from alcohol consumption. As a result, he does not meet the basic eligibility requirements for nonservice-connected disability pension benefits.
- Whole decision: 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.
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