The Board denied initial compensable ratings for chronic bronchitis, status post-surgical scar, left lateral chest wall, and status post closed fracture of the right little finger. The claim for a 10 percent rating based upon multiple, noncompensable service-connected disabilities prior to July 22, 2024, was remanded.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support a compensable rating under the applicable criteria for any of the conditions on appeal.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic bronchitis, status post chest tube placement, status post-surgical scar, left lateral chest wall, status post closed fracture of the right little finger, migraines including migraine variants
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 28, 2025
- Citation
- A25047242
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for asthma and remanded claims for insomnia and sleep apnea. Other conditions were denied.
- Granted
The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection for chronic bronchitis, asthma, sinusitis, and rhinitis were granted. The claims for service connection for right hand disability, right shoulder disability, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, erectile dysfunction, bilateral shoulder disability, and left wrist disability were remanded.
- Granted
The Board granted an initial 50 percent disability rating for migraine headaches, resolving doubt in favor of the Veteran.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for asthma, bronchitis, and COPD due to inadequate medical opinions.
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