The Veteran's additional disability, including lung scarring with decreased pulmonary function, chronic congestion/illness, low sex drive, heart strain, sleep apnea, and allergies, was caused by VA treatment resulting in hospitalization for neutropenia with resulting pneumonia in July 2013. The Board found that the Veteran’s declining white blood cell count was not communicated to his physician until nearly two weeks after it entered an alarming range, finding this delay inappropriate. As a result, compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional disability due to VA treatment in July 2013 is granted.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's declining white blood cell count was not communicated to his physician until nearly two weeks after it entered an alarming range, finding this delay inappropriate and thus supporting the claim of additional disability caused by VA treatment.
- Claimed conditions
- neutropenia, pneumonia, lung scarring, chronic congestion/illness, low sex drive, heart strain, sleep apnea, allergies
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 24, 2021
- Citation
- 21010146
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 21010146.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disease manifesting within one year after service and concluding that the current disability is not related to his in-service deviated septum.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea. The Veteran will be provided with a VA examination to determine if his current sleep disorder is related to his military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the issue of service connection for sleep apnea due to insufficient medical opinions and need for further development.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claims for sleep apnea and an increased disability rating for diabetes mellitus, type II.
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