The Board found that the August 1993 RO rating decision was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous in not granting a rating in excess of 20 percent for a left pneumothorax. The Veteran's claim for CUE in subsequent ratings is addressed, but the specific details are not provided.
The deciding factor: The evidence at the time of the August 1993 RO rating decision did not demonstrate symptoms such as thickened pleura, restricted expansion of the lower chest, compensating contralateral emphysema, deformity of the chest, scoliosis, or hemoptysis at intervals, which were required for a rating in excess of 20 percent.
- Claimed conditions
- Pneumothorax, Traumatic chest wall defect
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 16, 2011
- Citation
- 1134830
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1134830.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his pulmonary fibrosis was at least as likely as not related to his presumed in-service exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange). The decision also considers whether his service-connected diabetes mellitus contributed to his lung conditions.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's cause of death is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and VA treatment records.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for residuals of pneumothorax has been granted. The initial rating for PTSD before October 29, 2020 remains denied.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for COPD as secondary to service-connected pneumothorax residuals is denied.
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.