The Board denied the Veteran's service connection claim for a punctured lung, finding that there was no evidence to support his claim and concluding that his shortness of breath did not have its onset in service or is otherwise related to some aspect of active duty service.
The deciding factor: VA examination reports failed to establish a link between the Veteran's current respiratory symptoms and his in-service injury.
- Claimed conditions
- punctured lung, bruised ribs
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 15, 2013
- Citation
- 1337431
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 1337431.
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 denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bruised ribs and remanded the issue of entitlement to an initial compensable evaluation for chronic cough (claimed as respiratory condition).
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied an initial compensable rating for residuals of a punctured lung due to inadequate evidence and the Veteran's failure to report for VA examinations.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and inpatient clinical records from Fort Huachuca.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and need for further examination. The Veteran's lung puncture during service is still under review.
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.