The Board denied the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 as there was no evidence supporting an additional disability resulting from the 1974 septoplasty surgery, and the cause of any residual breathing difficulty could not be attributed to VA carelessness or negligence.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's breathing difficulties were present prior to the 1974 surgery and continued after it, with no new disability attributable to the procedure.
- Claimed conditions
- Septoplasty
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 16, 2020
- Citation
- 20047690
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 20047690.
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 Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance was not due to service-connected disabilities, and therefore special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound for accrued benefits is denied.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him so helpless as to need regular aid and attendance or bedridden, thus denying entitlement to special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's nasal fracture, post-septoplasty, reconstruction and rhinoplasty is rated at the maximum available schedular rating of 10 percent. The claim for a higher rating is denied.
- Whole decision: Denied
The veteran's service-connected nasal septal deviation is currently rated at the maximum schedular evaluation of 10 percent. The Board finds no basis to grant an increased rating as there are no additional symptoms or disabilities associated with his condition that would warrant a higher evaluation.
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