The Board denied service connection for bilateral pneumonia, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of pneumonia is not related to his in-service condition.,Service connection was also denied for dysphagia as there was no medical evidence linking it to the claimed for bilateral pneumonia. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of dysphagia.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his in-service conditions, and there is no medical opinion linking the claimed for condition to service.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral pneumonia, Dysphagia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 5, 2020
- Citation
- 20031669
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 20031669.
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: Denied
The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's GERD with hiatal hernia and dysphagia, finding that there was no documented history of esophageal stricture requiring daily medications to control dysphagia.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for Inclusion Body Myositis with Dysphagia, finding that the Veteran's condition was caused by toxic exposures during his military service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's need for personal care services and whether participation in PCAFC would be beneficial. The VA will obtain an opinion from CEAT on these matters.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's significant other, R.W., has applied for enrollment in the PCAFC program. The AOJ denied eligibility due to a lack of evidence supporting personal care needs and supervision requirements based on the December 19, 2022 Veteran Functional Assessment Instrument. The Board finds this decision inadequate and requires a new medical opinion addressing the criteria for eligibility.
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