The Board has determined that the Veteran's left pleural effusion, claimed as loss of left lung, is an additional disability caused by VA fault in performing the January 2015 VA heart surgery. Therefore, compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for this condition is granted.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows that the Veteran developed a left pleural effusion following his January 2015 VA heart surgery and Dr. A's opinion supports that this was caused by VA fault in evacuating the pleural space during the procedure.
- Claimed conditions
- Left pleural effusion, Loss of left lung
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 15, 2018
- Citation
- 18142315
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 18142315.
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 COPD as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left pleural effusion, finding that there is equipoise evidence supporting this claim.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and providing proper notice regarding secondary service connection.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The appeal is granted as his PTSD is now considered service-connected.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection of a left leg disability is reopened, and the appeal is granted.
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