The Board found that the Veteran's left lower lobe atelectasis preexisted service and was not aggravated by military service. Therefore, his lung disability is not considered incurred in or aggravated by active military service.
The deciding factor: The evidence established that the Veteran had a congenital condition of left lower lobe atelectasis which existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service.
- Claimed conditions
- Atelectasis of the left lower lobe
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 3, 2012
- Citation
- 1200097
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 1200097.
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: Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's lung disability, specifically atelectasis of the left lower lobe, was present prior to service and not aggravated by military service. The current diagnosis of COPD is not related to his military service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's right shoulder disability and migraines/chronic headaches are remanded for additional development due to insufficient opinions on the etiology of her conditions.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine arthritis is aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service connected due to his fear of hostile military activity during his Vietnam service.
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