The Board previously found that the February 1997 rating decision granting service connection for cough/shortness of breath as due to undiagnosed illness, status post uvuloplasty was clearly and unmistakably erroneous. However, the parties agreed the evidence is ambiguous on whether the Veteran's claimed respiratory disorder developed on active duty. The Board concludes that the original grant of service connection was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous and restores service connection for this disability.
The deciding factor: The original grant of service connection for cough/shortness of breath as due to undiagnosed illness, status post uvuloplasty is not clearly and unmistakably erroneous given the ambiguity in whether the disorder developed on active duty.
- Claimed conditions
- cough/shortness of breath
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 27, 2015
- Citation
- 1531915
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 1531915.
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).
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- Whole decision: Granted
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