The Veteran's initial rating for residuals of pneumonia associated with achalasia is granted at a 60 percent level, and his higher rating for achalasia is also granted. The issues are related to the severity of these conditions.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows that the Veteran’s respiratory condition (due to service-connected pneumonia) and esophageal stricture both impact his ability to work due to swallowing difficulties.
- Claimed conditions
- Pneumonia, Achalasia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- June 25, 2019
- Citation
- 19149698
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the case to obtain an adequate opinion regarding the Veteran's cause of death, specifically addressing toxic exposures during service and submitted medical literature.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an increased evaluation of 70 percent for the service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but remanded other issues for further development.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a VA examination to address all respiratory disabilities found or shown during the appeal period and to determine their relationship to service, including exposure to toxic or environmental hazards.
- Granted
The Board granted compensation pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for the cause of the Veteran's death, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the appellant.
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