The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for pleural fibrosis and residuals of histoplasmosis is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration under revised rating criteria.
The deciding factor: The case requires further development as per the VCAA requirements and the need for updated medical evidence and clarification on service connection theory.
- Claimed conditions
- pleural fibrosis, residuals of histoplasmosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 21, 2004
- Citation
- 0419746
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 0419746.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected pleural fibrosis did not render him unemployable prior to October 20, 2017. The Board found that his other nonservice-connected conditions prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded three issues: entitlement to separate compensation for shortness of breath and rib pain associated with service-connected pleural fibrosis, as well as the issue of total disability due to individual unemployability (TDIU). The Veteran's respiratory conditions are currently rated at 50 percent combined. Additional development is needed to address the relationship between the Veteran's symptoms and his service-connected conditions, as well as to determine whether he is unemployable.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for residuals of histoplasmosis, pulmonary nodules and restrictive lung disease, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to her in-service infection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employment, and for consideration of all his service-connected conditions.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.