The veteran's service-connected residuals, pneumothorax, status-post thoracotomy were initially evaluated as zero percent (non-compensably) disabling. The RO subsequently increased the evaluation to 60 percent disabling effective January 16, 2003.
The deciding factor: The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals, pneumothorax, status-post thoracotomy warranted a 60 percent disability rating as of January 16, 2003 based on his current lung function tests indicating moderate obstructive airways disease and severe diffusion defect.
- Claimed conditions
- Pneumothorax
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- August 5, 2003
- Citation
- 0319064
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 0319064.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his pulmonary fibrosis was at least as likely as not related to his presumed in-service exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange). The decision also considers whether his service-connected diabetes mellitus contributed to his lung conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's cause of death is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and VA treatment records.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for residuals of pneumothorax has been granted. The initial rating for PTSD before October 29, 2020 remains denied.
- Denied
The Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for COPD as secondary to service-connected pneumothorax residuals is denied.
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