The Veteran's nasal disability with difficulty breathing is not service-connected under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 because the additional disability was not caused by carelessness, negligence, or other fault on the part of VA.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the additional disability resulting from the surgeries was foreseeable and that there was no evidence of carelessness, negligence, or other fault on the part of VA.
- Claimed conditions
- nasal obstruction, difficulty breathing
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 21, 2015
- Citation
- 1553161
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 1553161.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for extreme fatigue, difficulty breathing, sepsis, and urinary tract infection due to incomplete records and a need for additional medical opinions.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided that the Veteran's respiratory disability, including difficulty breathing and COPD, is related to in-service toxic exposure risk activities. However, due to a duty to assist error, the case is being remanded for further evaluation.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, specifically regarding the Veteran's exposure to burn pits and other airborne chemicals during his deployment to Honduras. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a respiratory disability, including COPD, chronic bronchitis, and difficulty breathing.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for chronic cough and difficulty breathing (diagnosed as chronic bronchitis) is dismissed. Service connection for aortic aneurysm is granted.
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.