The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations to accurately assess his service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: Additional evidence is needed in the form of a pulmonary examination and review of treatment records to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected asbestos exposure syndrome, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (chronic bronchitis), and chronic sinusitis/rhinitis.
- Claimed conditions
- asbestos exposure syndrome, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (chronic bronchitis), chronic sinusitis/rhinitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 3, 2009
- Citation
- 0945967
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 0945967.
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.
- Partly granted
The VA denied service connection for the veteran's neck, hip, and back conditions but remanded decisions on other issues to gather more evidence.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for chronic sinusitis/rhinitis and a left knee disorder due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. A VA examination is required to determine if these conditions are related to service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to potential eligibility for SMC under certain criteria. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are being evaluated in detail.
- Denied
The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and denied all other service connection claims. Service connection was not granted for tinnitus, chronic sinusitis/rhinitis, pes planus, acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), hypertension (HTN), or ulcers.
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