The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected postoperative residuals of a thoracotomy due to spontaneous pneumothorax did not warrant a compensable evaluation, as his symptoms were attributed to non-service connected conditions.
The deciding factor: VA examination concluded that the Veteran's current symptoms were not due to his service-connected disability and were secondary to other factors such as smoking and occupational exposures.
- Claimed conditions
- Postoperative residuals of a thoracotomy, Spontaneous pneumothorax
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 13, 2009
- Citation
- 0913756
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 0913756.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's spontaneous pneumothorax is not rated higher than noncompensable due to his lung function scores.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including ADHD, is remanded as the AOJ failed to obtain a medical opinion addressing all relevant theories of entitlement.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's spontaneous pneumothorax resolved does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The issues of increased ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to new evidence or change in disability status.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's lung disability, including any additional symptoms such as chest pain with breathing and exertion.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for right knee disability, right knee scars, and spontaneous pneumothorax due to incomplete development of the record.
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.