The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. His rating for residuals of a gunshot wound to the left lung was increased to 30 percent, but he remains seeking higher benefits.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support granting an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected residuals of a gunshot wound to the left lung or a compensable evaluation for his shrapnel wound to the right biceps. Service connection for congestive heart failure was denied as it was determined that it was not related to his service-connected conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Congestive Heart Failure, Residuals of a Gunshot Wound to the Left Lung with Limited Excursion of the Diaphragm, Shrapnel Wound to Right Biceps
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 29, 2002
- Citation
- 0203924
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 0203924.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for congestive heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, and pulmonary fibrosis as these conditions were not related to the Veteran's service, including his exposure to Agent Orange.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied service connection for hypertension, congestive heart failure, sleep apnea, and erectile dysfunction.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for COPD, obstructive sleep apnea, atrial fibrillation, and hypertension as not being related to the Veteran's active duty or secondary to his service-connected GAD. However, congestive heart failure was granted due to a secondary relationship with his service-connected GAD.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the case to obtain a medical opinion addressing whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD caused or aggravated his cardiovascular diseases, which were listed as contributing causes of death.
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