The Board denied service connection for costochondritis and lung disability (including spontaneous pneumothorax and COPD) due to a lack of evidence showing the conditions had their onset in or were related to service.,Specifically, the Veteran's current diagnoses of costochondritis and lung disabilities are not supported by medical evidence linking them to his military service.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of costochondritis or lung disability (including spontaneous pneumothorax and COPD) related to service. The VA examinations did not find any current diagnoses, and medical professionals attributed these conditions to smoking.,Service treatment records do not show complaints or treatment for costochondritis or lung disabilities during the Veteran's period of active duty.
- Claimed conditions
- Costochondritis, Lung Disability (including Spontaneous Pneumothorax and COPD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 4, 2019
- Citation
- 19168296
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 19168296.
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: Granted
The reduction in rating for the Veteran's back condition from 40% to 20%, effective September 1, 2025 is improper and void ab initio. The petition to reverse this reduction is granted. An increased rating for costochondritis is denied.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 18, 2012, for a finding of total disability based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU). The Board found that the Veteran was not unemployable within one year prior to his July 18, 2012, claim.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's initial compensable rating for costochondritis is denied, and the Board has remanded his claim of service connection for a headache condition.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's costochondritis and asthma have been granted service connection, with a 10% evaluation for asthma.
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