The VA denied compensation benefits for additional disability associated with endoscopic procedures performed in January 1997, including hoarseness, sore throat, and neck and shoulder pain with numbness and weakness in the left hand. The Board found no evidence of additional current disability resulting from the procedure.
The deciding factor: The VA treatment did not result in any additional disability as claimed by the veteran.
- Claimed conditions
- esophageal reflux, bronchitis with chronic cough, residuals of stomach injury, dyspnea
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 25, 2005
- Citation
- 0514331
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 0514331.
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 appeal for service connection for dyspnea is dismissed. Service connection for OSA is granted, and increased ratings are denied for PTSD with MDD and GAD as well as left and right leg radiculopathy.
- Dismissed
Your claim for service connection for your AICD and associated dyspnea has been granted in full, but the appeal is dismissed as moot since a decision was already made.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's left knee disability is granted as incurred in service. The right knee, kidney condition, anemia, and dyspnea claims are remanded for further development.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the severity of the Veteran's service-connected cardiac disabilities for the period on appeal, particularly as it relates to symptoms of breathlessness attributed to his service-connected disability.
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.