The veteran's claims for compensation benefits for pulmonary fibrosis and a higher initial disability rating for an unstable sternum were denied as there was no evidence linking the conditions to the treatment received during his VA hospitalization.
The deciding factor: Medical opinions did not link the veteran's pulmonary fibrosis or current sternal pain complaints to the treatment he received during his January 1987 VA hospitalization and subsequent VA care.
- Claimed conditions
- Pulmonary fibrosis, Unstable sternum
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 30, 2002
- Citation
- 0205568
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 0205568.
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.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the claims for service connection for various conditions due to untimeliness of the Veteran's VA Form 10182 or as moot, and remanded the claim for diabetes mellitus type II.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher disability rating and service connection for pulmonary fibrosis, GERD, and sinusitis.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's cause of death, finding no evidence linking his lung cancer and other contributing causes to active duty or exposure at Camp Lejeune.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and additional development is required, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's cause of death and whether his conditions were related to service in Vietnam.
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