The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for the veteran's bilateral pneumothorax, postoperative, right closed thoracotomy, left open thoracotomy due to pre-bronchodilatation results of FEV-1 71 percent predicted and FEV-1/FVC ratio of 70 percent.
The deciding factor: The veteran's pulmonary function test results did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating as they were within the range that warranted a 30 percent evaluation under the applicable rating code.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral pneumothorax
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 9, 2008
- Citation
- 0822885
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 0822885.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
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).
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The Veteran's bilateral pneumothorax, spontaneous with left thoracotomy, is currently rated at 30 percent and does not warrant a higher rating based on the results of pulmonary function tests (PFTs).
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