The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a chronic lung disorder or any other condition related to service, and thus the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of collapsed lungs, including chronic pneumonia, Behcet's disease, and lung disease disorder, is denied.
The deciding factor: There is no competent medical evidence showing a diagnosis of any current residual conditions from service, and the most recent episode of pneumonia occurred over two decades after service.
- Claimed conditions
- collapsed lungs, chronic pneumonia, Behcet's disease, lung disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 7, 2009
- Citation
- 0938062
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 0938062.
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).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board dismissed the claims for increased ratings for lung disease and residuals of esophageal cancer as moot because the Veteran was already in receipt of the highest possible ratings for these conditions, which are in effect for the entirety of the appeal period. The claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) at a higher level based on need for aid and assistance due to the Veteran's condition prior to his passing is granted.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including COPD and emphysema, is being remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The Board finds that the evidence submitted tends to disprove a link between his current condition and active service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service connection for chronic pneumonia and increased rating for major depression have been granted. The Veteran's sinus headaches are not rated higher than the current 30 percent evaluation.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Veteran's lung disease is granted as service-connected due to asbestos exposure during service. The Veteran's coronary artery disease claim is remanded for further evaluation.
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