The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a left pneumothorax and his request for an increased rating for PTSD, both finding that there was no current disability related to any pneumothorax. The Board also found that the Veteran is not entitled to a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.,The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD from 70 percent to higher as it did not meet the criteria for such, and granted entitlement to a TDIU based on the severity of his service-connected PTSD symptoms.
The deciding factor: There is no current disability related to any pneumothorax. The Veteran's STRs show he had a lung injury that was surgically treated, but there are no records indicating he has had a current disability related to this event.,The Veteran’s PTSD symptoms do not meet the criteria for total occupational and social impairment as evidenced by his ability to maintain adequate grooming and hygiene, alertness, orientation in all spheres, and logical thought processes. The Veteran's MDD and Panic Disorder are also considered.
- Claimed conditions
- left pneumothorax, PTSD
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 26, 2020
- Citation
- 20056591
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 20056591.
What this means for you
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board of Veterans' Appeals has granted service connection for PTSD and Mood Disorders, both presumed conditions under the PACT Act.
- Partly granted
The Board has not made a final determination on the claims of service connection for inguinal hernia, PTSD, joint pain, fibromyalgia, left knee disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, sleep disorder, IBS, and headaches. The claims are remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if these conditions are related to service.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD was granted with an initial evaluation of 50 percent, effective September 24, 2007. The appeal regarding the heart condition and sleep disorder is denied. The Veteran's hearing loss prior to August 24, 2015, warrants a 20 percent rating.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that the Veteran meets the basic medical eligibility criteria for PCAFC benefits due to his need for personal care services based on symptoms or residuals of neurological or other impairment or injury. However, further clinical evaluation is needed to determine if participation in the program is in the Veteran's best interest.
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