The Veteran's respiratory disorder, including bronchitis, sinusitis, COPD, and shortness of breath, is granted service connection.,An effective date of September 26, 2013, for the grant of left breast disability (gynecomastia with gynecomastectomy) is granted.,An earlier effective date than June 30, 1997, for the psychiatric disability (anxiety, depression with PTSD symptoms and alcohol/cocaine abuse) is denied.,The Veteran's initial rating of 30 percent for left breast disability is maintained from July 1, 2014, to May 26, 2014, and then increased to 100 percent effective date of May 27, 2014.,An initial rating of 100 percent for psychiatric disability (anxiety, depression with PTSD symptoms and alcohol/cocaine abuse) is granted.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's respiratory disorder was related to service based on the medical opinion provided by Dr. D.L., who noted exposure to toxic chemicals during service.,The earliest point where an informal claim could be construed for left breast enlargement was September 26, 2013, when the Veteran first reported having painful enlarged left breast.,There is no indication that a formal or informal claim was received prior to June 30, 1997, for psychiatric disability. The effective date of service connection cannot be earlier than the day following separation from active service.,The Veteran's left breast surgery on May 27, 2014, warranted a 100 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 7626 due to radical mastectomy.,For psychiatric disability, the effective date is based on the earliest indication of entitlement, which was June 30, 1997.
- Claimed conditions
- respiratory disorder, left breast disability, psychiatric disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- February 6, 2023
- Citation
- 23007501
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 23007501.
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
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