The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for aspergillosis is being remanded due to insufficient evidence in the record, including unreliable pulmonary function test results and a need for further examination by a respiratory specialist.
The deciding factor: The VA has determined that there is not enough reliable medical evidence to properly rate the Veteran's service-connected lung disability under the appropriate diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- aspergillosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 9, 2010
- Citation
- 1008846
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 1008846.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic lung abscess and aspergillosis due to a lack of sufficient medical evidence. The VA will need to obtain updated medical opinions regarding whether these conditions are related to his active service, particularly given his exposure to burn pits during service.
- Granted
The Veteran's lung disability, rated as 100 percent disabling from March 1, 2006 to November 9, 2011, was granted. He also received a special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate and his TDIU claim was denied.
- Denied
The Veteran's pulmonary lung infection and aspergillosis were not caused by VA carelessness, negligence, or similar fault. The Board found no additional disability resulting from the treatment.
- Granted
The reduction in the disability rating for aspergillosis with obstructive pulmonary disease from 100 percent to noncompensable was proper, and a 30 percent rating is granted effective August 1, 2016. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him housebound or unemployable.
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