The Board found that the Veteran's appeal was timely filed and that the reduction in his disability rating for pleural disease from 60 percent to 30 percent, effective February 1, 2013, was not proper. The decision also noted that discontinuation of TDIU and DEA benefits was not proper.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's appeal was timely filed despite the initial delay in receiving the SOC at his old address. The reduction from 60 percent to 30 percent was found improper due to lack of evidence showing actual improvement in ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work, which is required for a rating reduction.
- Claimed conditions
- pleural disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 11, 2016
- Citation
- 1601021
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1601021.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
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 has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a pulmonary disorder, diagnosed as interstitial fibrosis, pleural disease, and asbestosis. The evidence supports that these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's pleural disease and COPD are granted as service-connected due to in-service asbestos exposure. The hypertension claim is remanded for a TERA examination, and the TDIU issue is also remanded.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to asbestos during service and the relationship between his pleural disease and military service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of asbestos exposure during the Veteran's service. The AOJ is required to verify any potential exposure and provide a summary or memorandum based on verified information from official sources.
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