The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected gunshot wound, right upper chest with residuals of empyema and thoracoplasty is being remanded due to the need for further examination and consideration.
The deciding factor: Further medical examination is required to accurately assess the severity of the veteran's muscle injuries and determine if they are mild, moderate, or severe.
- Claimed conditions
- gunshot wound, right upper chest, empyema, thoracoplasty
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 21, 2008
- Citation
- 0809621
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 0809621.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
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 Veteran's cause of death was not service-connected, and he did not meet the requirements for DIC under U.S.C. 1318.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's cause of death (cardiac arrest, septic shock, and empyema) is not service-connected. The appellant's income exceeds the maximum annual pension rate for a surviving spouse without dependents.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied earlier effective dates for the establishment of service connection for pulmonary tuberculosis with residuals and thoracoplasty, resection of two ribs associated with pulmonary tuberculosis.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's asthma with a history of empyema, thoracotomy, and thoracostomies was rated at 30 percent since October 1, 2005. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on his respiratory symptoms.
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