The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including verifying his exposure to hazardous chemicals in service and obtaining a medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.
The deciding factor: The case requires further investigation into the Veteran's claimed chemical exposure during service and an evaluation by a VA medical doctor specializing in pulmonary disease to determine if the current disability is related to service, including any identified chemical exposure.
- Claimed conditions
- alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 10, 2011
- Citation
- 1109577
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1109577.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted service connection for bilateral hip osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's arthritis had its onset during active duty and is related to his military service. Service connection was denied for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency due to lack of evidence showing a superimposed disability attributable to service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and bilateral hip disorder due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations to determine if his conditions are related to military service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is found to be related to his service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lung disability, including alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, emphysema, and COPD. The examiner is requested to clarify whether these conditions are defects or diseases, and provide an opinion as to their relationship with service.
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