The Veteran's lung disability is presumed due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. However, the VA has not provided a medical opinion linking his current respiratory condition to service or to herbicide exposure. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.
The deciding factor: The Board notes that there is no probative evidence linking the Veteran's current lung disability to service or to herbicide exposure in Vietnam, necessitating further examination and medical opinion.
- Claimed conditions
- nonspecific small airway disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 21, 2016
- Citation
- 1647496
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 1647496.
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.
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The Board denied the claim for TDIU prior to October 18, 2018 due to a lack of evidence showing that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.
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The Veteran's emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other spontaneous pneumothorax status post thoracotomy is rated as 100% disabling since February 28, 2024. His major depressive disorder is separately rated at 70%. The Board finds that the Veteran meets the criteria for special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) due to his service-connected disabilities.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions are dismissed due to untimely filing of the Notice of Disagreement (NOD). The appeal is also dismissed as there was no good cause shown for the late filing.
- Dismissed
The appeal concerning the service connection for various conditions has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.
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